Brazilian Rainbow Boa | Epicrates cenchria
Plan the habitat for the adult animal, with secure housing and room to carry out its natural behaviour.
At a Glance
| Origin & natural habitat |
South America; humid forest habitats. |
| Adult size |
Around 150–180 cm, sometimes larger. |
| Lifespan |
20 years or more. |
| Temperament |
Individuals vary; allow time to settle before any handling. |
| Activity |
Mostly night-active. |
| Social needs |
House individually. |
Housing & Setup
Enclosure dimensions are length × depth × height unless stated otherwise. Plan for the adult animal; larger, suitably furnished housing is encouraged.
| Adult housing |
At least 180 × 90 × 90 cm for an adult; enlarge for a larger individual. |
| Temperature |
Basking 30–32°C; maintain a cooler retreat around 24–27°C; night around 22–24°C. |
| Lighting & UVB |
Provide a regular day/night cycle with darkness at night. Select species-appropriate UVB, with shaded retreats and safe lamp distances. |
| Humidity / moisture |
Around 70% by day and higher at night; juveniles need especially reliable moisture with ventilation and dry resting surfaces. |
| Substrate |
Moisture-retentive soil/coco mix with leaf litter. |
| Furnishings & filtration |
Warm and cool shelters, climbing branches and a large water bowl. |
Behaviour & Compatibility
House individually. Sensitive to dehydration and overheating; avoid frequent handling while settling.
Feeding & Nutrition
Offer appropriately sized, fully thawed whole rodents. Confirm the current prey size and feeding schedule at collection; juveniles generally feed more frequently than adults. Adjust portions to body condition and do not use plain muscle meat as a staple. Routine calcium dusting is not needed for balanced whole prey. Provide fresh water daily.
Routine Care
Check temperatures, humidity, appetite and behaviour daily. Replace drinking water and remove waste promptly. Clean bowls and contaminated furnishings regularly; monitor weight and shedding. Arrange advice from an exotics vet for persistent changes in appetite, breathing or movement.
Important Before Buying
Run and check the enclosure before collection. Adult housing requirements apply even when the animal is sold as a baby. Confirm the animal’s current food, age and supplement schedule with our reptile team.
Live Animals Are Click & Collect Only
We do not ship live animals. Order online and wait for confirmation that your animal is ready before collecting from Newlands Home and Garden Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. Have the enclosure prepared and its conditions checked before collection.