Dumeril’s Boa Acrantophis dumerili Family: Boidae Locale: Madagascar, southwestern Average Size: 4-6 ft average (7 ft max); 4-5.5 ft in wild Average Lifespan: ??? Activity: nocturnal Habitat: on Mahafaly plateau live in caves, crevices, animal burrows, under vegetation; hide from temperature extremes (hot summers, cold (not freezing) winters), and drought; (Mehrtens reports Dumeril's boas found in humid rainforests) Captive care: large (4’ x 2’) cage (e.g., 4' Neodesha or Vision cages, or custom made), hide box, sturdy branches for climbing; large water bowl for drinking and soaking; temperature gradient in cage; requires high relative humidity -> mist daily. Diet: Feed appropriately sized mice, rats, rabbits, some can be problem feeders and show preference for one food type Temperature: DayTimeHigh 84-86, bask 88-95˚F NightTimeLow 80-84˚F, (70˚F absolute low during brumation) Lighting: incandescent for heat may be offered. Temperament: docile Notes: Sex chromosomes have been identified (Mengden & Stock, 1980, Chromosoma 79: 53-64) most seriously inbred of boids in private collections (resulting in inbreeding depression) -> some lines increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, -> some don’t reach expected adult size endangered list since 1977 on Madagascar, while locally abundant, threatened with habitat loss by slash-and-burn agriculture gestation 6 to 8 months, litter size 1 to 21, average 7 sexually mature female 4-5 yr; male 3-4 yr References: Hammack, Stephen (2004) "Captive Husbandry of Madagascar's Ground Boas." Reptiles magazine 12(12):56-63. Love, Bill (2004) "On the trail of Acrantophis" Reptiles magazine 12(12):44-55. Mehrtens, John M. (1987) Living Snakes of the World. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. New York. Ross, M.D., Richard and Marzec, Gerald (1990) The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. Institute for Herpetological Research, PO Box 2227, Stanford, CA 94305. de Vosjoli, P. (1990) The General Care and Maintenance of Red-Tailed Boas. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside, CA. Compiled by: EMU updated 1/05. Updated 5/2015 Range map: http://www.duvalschools.org/sandalwood/herpetology/Species%20Accounts/Snakes/dumerils%20boa.html .