The Dumeril’s boa is a big, heavy-bodied snake native to Madagascar. It’s also known by the name Dumeril’s ground boa as it is ground-dwelling, hiding in the fallen leaves. The ‘dumerili’ in its scientific name is in honor of the French herpetologist André Marie Constant Duméril.
Scientific Classifications
- Suborder:Serpentes
- Family:Boidae
- Genus:Acrantophis
- Species:A. dumerili
Conservation Status
Description
Size
The full size of the adult Dumeril’s boa, including its tail, is 6.5 ft (2 m), with the maximum reported length as 8 ft 6 inches (2.59 m).
Color and Appearance
The background color is gray-brown with darker patches that help it to effectively camouflage against the leaf litter of the forest floor of its natural habitat. The males of this species have longer, skinnier tails while the females are larger overall.
Though it is a favorite of the pet industry, it has no morphs.
Are They Dangerous to Humans
Like any other wild animal, it bites when it feels threatened. But being non-venomous, a bite with its fairly small teeth will only leave a scar without causing any harm. Though it may seem frightening for its imposing size, it loves to be left alone.
As pets, they are pretty docile and readily feed. But they are prone to stress that may cause them to stop eating, leading to health issues. Also, some may be bitier and need patience to be tamed.
Dumeril’s Boa at a Glance
Distribution
The species can be found on the western coast and the southwestern part of Madagascar.
Habitat
The constrictor lives in forests, arid and coastal regions with minimal rainfall.
Lifespan
It lives more than 20 years.
Predators
It has no natural predators.Humans are its main threat as they kill it for leather trade as well as food.
Diet
They eat small animals like birds, lizards and small mammals like baby lemurs.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young from eggs that hatch inside the body)
It attains sexual maturity within 3-5 years of age. Males sport anal spurs that help them in courtship. They mate between March and May, with the young being born some 6-8 months later. The litter size is 6-28, and the babies measure 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) in length.
Care Sheet
Size of the Enclosure: 4 ft (length) x 2 ft (width) x 14 inches (height) is the ideal tank size for a full-grown Dumeril’s boa.
Temperature: The cooler end of the cage should be at 75-80°F, while the hotter end should have temperatures not exceeding 85°F.
Humidity: 40-60% humidity is ideal for the snake. Keep a water bowl at the center of the tank to maintain the humidity levels.
Substrate: Brown butcher paper, newspaper, paper towels, cypress mulch, or aspen shavings act as excellent substrates for this constrictor. Cedar or pine shavings shouldn’t be used as they harm the pet’s skin and can cause neurological problems.
Source
everythingreptiles.com, morphmarket.com, i.pinimg.com, i0.wp.com, reptiledirect.com, i.redd.it, staticflickr.com
