Boa Constrictor Snakes - Pictures

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Boa Constrictor Snakes - Reproduction

Breeding Boa Constrictors requires coping with their natural conditions: a seasonal day/night light cycle, winter cooling, misting, and many others. Timing is crucial for reproduction. Although captive breeding is encouraged, it's very difficult and requires more dedication than simply keeping a few snakes.

Boa females give birth to 10-60 young (depending upon the subspecies). The gestation period depends on temperature and humidity and varies from 4 to 10 months. The Boa Constrictor doesn't bear young each year.

Little hatchlings may lie in the palm of the hand. In their first year they increase the size by up to 300%, reaching 5-6 feet. The second year adds another 3-4 feet, and then the growth rate slows down, but the snake continues to grow during its entire life.

Boa Constrictor Snakes - Shedding

Well-fed Boa Constrictors shed once a month or every 2-3 months. Shedding is a result of growth, and if your snake doesn't shed often, it's not eating enough. The process of shedding continues for about 4 days. First the Boa's eyes are clouded over, then the eyes clear and a few days later the skin is removed. The snake rubs on something until the skin on the nose comes loose, then the skin is hung on something and pulled off. If the skin comes off in lots of pieces, the humidity is too low. Boa Constrictors remove unshed skin by soaking in water.

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