What is a Rosy Boa?
The Lichanura Trivirgata, commonly known as the rosy boa, is a type of snake native to the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, residing in rocky deserts and semi-arid scrublands. the Rosy boa is distinguishable by three stripes running the length of its body, ranging in color from red to brown. Rosy boas are harmless to humans and are popular as pets.
Rosy boas can be found from Death Valley to the Mojave Desert. They are also present east of the Transverse Mountain Ranges and into Western Arizona as well as in areas of northwest Mexico. They prefer warm and dry environments, but not extreme desert climates. Rosy boas mainly reside in coastal canyons, desert creeks, semi-arid scrublands and rocky desert environments. In general, they enjoy areas with intermittent or permanent water sources.
Rosy boas are most readily recognized by their stripes: three stripes running the length of their bodies that are either tan, brick red, rosy, reddish brown or chocolate brown in color. These stripes appear on a background of a lighter cream, tan, yellow, gray or even white. Their pupils are vertical. Rosy boas may range in size from 22 to 44 inches (about 56 to 112 centimeters) and females are usually longer than males. A captive rosy boa in a good environment may live to be 25 years old.
Rosy boas are non venomous and harmless to humans. In the wild, these snakes' diets consist of small animals native to their environment, including rodents, small reptiles, amphibians and birds; they kill by constricting their prey. As a defense mechanism, they may coil themselves and hide their head within, or on occasion they may give off a bad odor to ward off attackers.
If held in captivity, rosy boas need to be kept in specific conditions if they are to survive. They need at least a 20-gallon (about 75-liter) enclosure, yet since they are burrowing snakes rather than climbing snakes, they do not need an especially tall enclosure. They like a dry environment with a loose, deep ground cover, about 2 to 4 inches (or 5 to 10 centimeters), that they can use for burrowing. Their environment should be between 73 and 83°F (about 28.3 to 22.7°C), with low humidity. They may eat small mice, insects or mealworms.
Rosy boas are easy to care for and make great pets for reptile lovers. Those who wish to own a rosy boa, however, must remember to purchase one from a pet store rather than take them from the wild. Wild boas may suffer from parasites and diseases.
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![Rosy boas may be present in Death Valley.]()
By: Katrina BrownRosy boas may be present in Death Valley.
Discussion Comments
@ZipLine-- Which shade does your friend's rosy boa have? They actually come in several shades like the article said. The reddish brown stripes are the most common but there are also lighter and darker shades. For some, the stripes are almost yellowish and for others, it's almost black.
My friend has a rosy boa. He keeps telling me that the snake is absolutely harmless and in fact friendly to humans. But I have a fear of snakes so I do not go to his house at all. I've seen pictures of it online though and the snake's color pattern is interesting.
@Markerrag-- That's not the case with most animals actually. Once they are used to a protected home environment, they will have a very difficult time in the wild. I'm sure few survive their predators and attackers. And they may have trouble finding food too.
I'm actually not a proponent of keeping reptiles in captivity. These creatures have a purpose. They keep the rodent population under control. By putting them in captivity and keeping them as pets, I think that we are getting in the way of nature. And I don't think that these snakes are particularly happy in captivation. So I don't think that we should take them as pets.
@Markerrag -- Good point and here is another one (I hope). If you don't want your boa, run an ad in the local newspaper or online and try to give it to someone who will. The worst thing you can do is turn it loose in the woods.
A problem with the availability of these as pets is that some people kind of get disillusioned with the whole "snake ownership is cool" thing and release them into the wild. That's what happens around here at least.
The assumption is that snakes are wild and can, therefore, survive well in the wild. That is not the case with snakes that have been raised in captivity.
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