Brazilian Rainbow Boa
Epicrates cenchria cenchria
South America

Rainbow boas are so named because of their iridescent sheen. They can be found from Costa Rica through central South America in forests, woodlands, plains and swamps.


Most Active During: They are nocturnal snakes, sleeping during the day and hunting at night.

Longevity (life expectancy): Brazilian rainbow Boa’s can live for 20+ years in captivity.

Position in Viv: Ground dwelling, but like to climb

Size: Brazilian Rainbow Boas can reach 7 feet in length.

Sexing: Brazilian Rainbow Boas are difficult to sex based on visible external differences until they are about three years old. Young can be sexed by probing. Females will probe a distance of two to four sub-caudal scales and males will probe to a depth of eight to twelve sub-caudal scales. Adult males have substantially larger spurs along the side of the vent and also have noticeably thicker bases of their tails due to the hemipenes. Probing should only be carried out by trained herpetologist or vet.

Water Supply: large bowl of drinking water must be available at all times and should be changed out daily or when soiled as the snake will also use this to soak in. This may be placed near the basking site to raise humidity. Misting the entire cage several times a day will also help maintain humidity.

Brazilian Rainbow Boas seem to be resistant to "blister disease" and will spend most of their time in moist areas, but a dry area should also be provided.

Substrate: Substrates are greatly debated and argued over. The simplest substrates I recommend are either paper/kitchen towels or newspaper for hatchlings or juveniles, and reptile bark for adults. A humid box containing damp sphagnum moss is also recommended. Because of the high humidity these snakes need, substrate must be changed frequently as it provides a perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria.

UV Lighting: Brazilian Rainbow boas do not need or benefit from full spectrum lighting. White light may be used during the day, but is not necessary if the viv is in a naturally well lit room. Providing red lighting at night allows their movements to be seen without disturbing its day/night cycle. Any lighting used must be guarded to prevent burns and controlled thermostatically.


Humidity Requirements: All rainbow boas are extremely sensitive to dehydration therefore maintenance of humidity is a must. Cages should be misted several times a day and a humid shelter should be provided. A humid hide can be created by a plastic sandwich box with a hole at one end containing moist sphagnum moss. A bowl of water large enough for the snake to soak its body in should also be provided.

A relative humidity of 75-80% is ideal, Humidity lower than 50% can lead to dehydration and even death.

Because of the high humidity, tanks should be kept very clean, substrate should be changed weekly as mould and bacteria grow rapidly in these conditions.


Temperatures and Heating Equipment: Temperature preferences vary for different subspecies, as mentioned earlier. The Brazilian Rainbow Boa is best kept with a maximum daytime high of 90°F at the basking site, an ambient daytime temperature of 78° to 80°F, and a night time temperature of 70°F. Heat is best provided by a ceramic bulb, guarded and controlled by a pulse proportional day/night thermometer, and using a good quality thermometer/hydrometer


Housing: Babies do better in small enclosures. For first few months a plastic box with holes drilled in the lid, or a small plastic aquarium, with water dish, hide box containing damp sphagnum moss and kitchen towel as a substrate would provide a perfect home.

Adults prefer larger enclosures, A 4x2x2 ft viv as a minimum. Branches can be used to increase the space available. Some adults love to climb, so a taller cage with branches for climbing could be provided.

As with all snakes, it is recommended that rainbow boas be housed individually except during breeding, this way you can monitor each snakes health better

Decor: Preferably 4 hides, a moist and a dry hide at the warm end and the same at the cool end and branches etc to climb on.

Diet: Brazilian Rainbow Boas primarily eat mice and/or rats. The size of the prey item should be no bigger than 1.25 times the girth (width) of the snake. Hatchlings can be fed every 5 to 8 days, juveniles every week to 10 days, and sub-adults/adult every 10 days to two weeks. Do not over feed Brazilian Rainbow Boas as they are prone to becoming overweight.


General Ease of Care: Hatchlings tend to be nippy, but with patience and gentle handling they usually calm down. Their nippiness makes this species of boa less ideal as a child’s snake or as a snake for beginners to herpetology.

Additional Information: Brazilian Rainbow boas are beautiful snakes; they almost glow and under the right lighting have a sheen on them reminiscent of an oil spill, showing a rainbow of Colours, hence their name. As stated these snakes are nocturnal, feeding at dusk. They are a medium bodied snake and are prone to being over weight in captivity. They are not the easiest animal to keep due to their humidity requirements and are not the friendliest of boas, juveniles tend to be very nippy, and so I would not recommend these as a first snake. However, with patience and regular gentle handling these snakes can make wonderful pets.