Half-grown rats suffice for even the largest individuals. Always use smaller food items than you might for similarly-sized snakes of other species. Meal size is an important factor in maintaining good health. In time, these can be used to scent mice. ![]() Scenting small mice (fuzzies or hoppers) with a lizard or shed lizard skin may be helpful.Ĭhicks, quail, gerbils or (for newborns) house geckos may spur picky feeders to take a meal. Juveniles feed primarily upon lizards and frogs, and many refuse mice. Slowly moving the food in front of the snake, or lightly touching the jaws or body, often induces a strike. The terrarium’s top should not be covered with glass to increase humidity a small fan may be employed to circulate air if necessary.Įmerald Tree Boas are best offered food via tongs. Ample air flow, often overlooked in the past, is now recognized as critical to good health. Wet conditions and stagnant air will lead to skin diseases. ![]() Humidity should be highest during the day, and decline with the temperature at night. Humidity can be increased via manual spraying, moistening the substrate and commercial reptile misters. These moist-forest denizens (please see photo of typical habitat) require humidity levels that fluctuate between 60 and 90%. Thermal gradients, critical to good health, allow snakes to regulate their body temperature by moving from hot to cooler areas. Large enclosures are necessary if a thermal gradient (areas of different temperatures) is to be established. At night, a dip to 72 F is beneficial A ceramic heater or red/black reptile “night bulb” can be used to provide heat after dark. Incandescent bulbs should be used to maintain a temperature of 75-77 F, and a basking spot of 85 F. Emerald Tree Boas prefer cooler temperatures than one might imagine. Arboreal snakes experience greater temperature and humidity fluctuations than do terrestrial snakes living in the same habitats. This species is closely associated with rainforests in most keepers’ minds, and this sometimes leads to a misunderstanding of their needs. Red/black reptile “night bulbs” will allow you to observe nocturnal behavior. A day/night schedule of 12:12 hours should be maintained. UVB exposure is not required, but UVA bulbs may encourage natural behavior, and will bring out the true beauty of their coloration. In larger enclosures, cypress mulch or forest floor bedding will allow for easy spot-cleaning and help to raise the humidity level. ![]() Newspapers and washable terrarium liners work well as substrates in aquariums. Artificial plants hung from branches and the cage top can also be used as cover (I favor this model). Pots of tall, sturdy live plants (philodendron, small ficus trees, snake plants) should be placed about the cage to provide security and aid in humidity control. Emerald Tree Boas often coil at the spot where 2 forks of a branch diverge, so be sure to include several. Well-anchored branches of varying thicknesses, both forked and straight, should be installed. A variety of commercial cages are suitable for youngsters. In front-opening terrariums, they will often remain on their perches while the cage is serviced (sparing snake and snake-keeper stress and injury!). Males and smaller females may get by in 75-100 gallon aquariums turned on their narrow ends, but custom-made cages are a much better option.Ĭages that open from the front are preferable, as Emerald Tree Boas are stressed by approaches from above (perhaps because birds of prey are their major predators). Observations of animals kept in small enclosures have led to this snake being labeled as “sedentary”, but those in large, complex habitats move about quite a bit.Īn enclosure measuring measuring 4 feet by 3 feet x 4 feet in height is ideal for a large adult. Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Benjamint444 The TerrariumĬage height is an important factor.
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