Rosy Boa Questions

sapphire_moon · 07-21-03, 09:14 PM

I was looking at the Rosy Boas and was wondering.......
How big do they get?
Do females get bigger than males?
What is their heating requirements?
What are their humidity (sp?) requirements?
Space requirements? Temperement? What is the largest size of mouse/rat that they eat? And any other information that you can think of would be great! Thanks in advance for your info!

:w :w

Wrath · 07-21-03, 09:23 PM

My Rosy is not full size yet, but I think they get fatter rather than longer. I think the females are bigger than males. I keep part of his tank heated to about 90, and he has an overhead low wattage light. I know for sure that they have to have really really low humidity, because they are desert snakes and they'll get respiratory infections. I give mine water for a day about once every two weeks or so.

He is the tamest little thing. Although one time he thought I was food and he struck at me. It was really funny though, he didnt even draw blood. Other than that he is extremely docile in my opinion, except when he''s eating. He's a lttle show off when it comes to food, and I think it's mostly because he's a little porker.

Linds gave me the best info on Rosies when I got mine. However there are tons of great care sheets online. Let me get some links for you:

http://www.rosyboa.com/desertboas/caresheet.html

http://www.anapsid.org/rosyboa.html

http://www.rosyboas.com/index.php?c=captive

I love my Rosy. Doesnt get too big, very attractive, and easy to care for. Good luck!

Linds · 07-21-03, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sapphire_moon
How big do they get?

They average 2-3 feet.

Quote:

Do females get bigger than males?

As with all boids, females are typically at the larger end of the scale, though not always. Below pictured is my approximately 24" adult female rosy.

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22sweetnessinhand.jpg">

Quote:

What is their heating requirements?

They do well with a gradient of 78-92 I find. Bottom heat is preferred.

Quote:

What are their humidity (sp?) requirements?

They are super easy to keep as long as you keep them at the right temperatures and very dry. 40% is ideal, but as much as 60% is tolerated. Don't let them have a waterbowl that is large enough for them to soak in. You can place a water bowl in their cage for one day every few weeks and it will be fine. It can be ok to leave it in if it is a glass tank with a screened lid, see how your snake reacts. Some people have experienced difficulties with their snakes when leaving their waterbowls in full time. I have had success with both methods.

Quote:

Space requirements?

These are on of the few species of snake that will thrive in an aquarium with a screened lid. Most adults will do fine in a 10-15 gallon aquarium.

Quote:

Temperement?

Great snakes. Typically very docile and probably one of the most tolerant species of snake in terms of handling. They are slow-moving and seldom bite - if they do they mistook you for food! They don't get stressed very easily as well.

Quote:

What is the largest size of mouse/rat that they eat?

Adults will eat anything in size from a hopper mouse to a small rat pup.

Anyhoo, rosies are awesome little snakes. They are very underrated IMHO. Super easy to care for and jsut a joy to keep.

BoidKeeper · 07-22-03, 07:26 AM

Great post Linds!
Cheers,
Trevor

Invictus · 07-22-03, 12:08 PM

I agree with Linds... Roseys and Kenyans are HIGHLY underrated. I'm absolutely in love with my Kenyans, and I have every intention in the world to get several Roseys.

sapphire_moon · 07-22-03, 05:22 PM

hmmmm they sound easier to take care of than my BP's!!!!! Does that mean I could easily keep a rosy boa in a 20 gal long aquarium (sp?)!!!!

Katt · 07-22-03, 07:29 PM

That's one GORGEOUS rosy.

sapphire_moon · 07-22-03, 08:07 PM

What about substrate? Do you have to use sand or something that they can get under???? Could I use newspaper?

Linds · 07-23-03, 08:40 AM

Katt,
Thanks!

sapphire_moon,
Far easier to care for then balls IMHO. 20 gallon long would be perfect. As for substrat, sand is not a very good substrate to use. It scratches their scales casing them to become dull, it gets impacted in their gums and insides as well. I've used newspaper and papertowel with success, they will just burrow between the sheets. I've also used Carefresh and crushed walnut.

Invictus · 07-23-03, 12:08 PM

Aspen is the best thing t use for these snakes, in my opinion. Newspaper or paper towel doesn't let them feel secure enough; they like to be able to feel weight on top of them. I have my Kenyans in about 4 inches of FINELY-shredded aspen, which provides better oxygen than sand, is easier for them to tunnel through, and easy to clean.

sapphire_moon · 07-23-03, 07:19 PM

Aspen......hmmmm......Learning all I can about rosy's, and blood pythons.....maybe one day! So a rubbermaid would be sufficient enough for one?

Linds · 07-25-03, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Invictus
Aspen is the best thing t use for these snakes, in my opinion. Newspaper or paper towel doesn't let them feel secure enough; they like to be able to feel weight on top of them.

Rosies are not kenyans. They are not ambush predators. Although they have similar requirements, they do not need to feel the weight on them like kenyans do. As long as they can get under what they are housed on they will be fine. Newspaper, aspen, hardwood chips, crushed walnut, etc.

Roy Stockwell uses a product called Beta Chip and more recently Alpha Chip as well. I have no personal experience using this substrate, but have only heard good things. Apparently it also has a very reduced chance of impaction, unlike other loose substrates.