Brazilian Rainbow Boa Epicrates cenchria cenchria Family: Boidae Locale: South America, north of the Amazon River Average Lifespan: ~ 20 years Average Size: 6 to 7 feet, no more than 10 pounds Captive care: 20L - 40 gallon aquarium with plenty of climbing space is needed for one animal. Paper towel or cypress mulch is a good substrate due to the ability of holding moisture; lareg water bowl for drinking and soaking, moist hide box. Under tank heat pad for heat. Incandescent lamp or ceramic heat lamp may also be utilized. Sensitive to dehydration. Cages should be misted several times a day. Large water dish should be used. A screen lid can be covered with plexiglass to retain humidity. Diet: Appropriately sized mice or rats. Temperature: Daytime 83-85 F, nightime in the mid 70’s F. Lighting: no special lighting required. Temperament: hatchlings can be nippy, but with handling calm down. References: Bartlett, P.P., Griswold DVM, B. and Bartlett, R.D. (2001) Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates, an identification and care guide. Barron’s Educational Series, Hauppauge, NY. 279pp. Dyce, (1997) The Brazilian Rainbow Boa Home Page. [Online]. Available: http://www.uwm.edu/~dyce/brb. 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. Schuett, Scott P. (1994) Captive Maintenance and Propagation of the Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria). Reptiles 1(6):32-34. Underwood, E. M., (1996) Cold Blooded News vol. 24.4 Rainbow Boa Care Sheet Compiled by: Hillary Harms 8/02 update 5/2015 .