Rio Bravo Reptiles: Peruvian Boas

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Peruvian Red-Tail Boas

Boas from Peru are highly prized by red-tail collectors. The appearance of these beautiful snakes is influenced both by the relative proximity to the range of the imperator in Colombia and also to the true red-tails of the Amazon basin. Peruvian boas are morphologically and behaviorally disparate from other recognized true red-tail localities, particularly those of the Suriname/Guyana complex. Peruvians are among the largest of the Boa, individuals managed for size will attain lengths of 3 to 4 meters. Successful repetitive breeding of Peruvian red-tails may be beyond the reach of boa-breeders without the knowledge and patience required. Strict attention to feeding, temperature gradient and seasonality will strongly enhance breeding efforts.

Rio Bravo Reptiles was fortunate in obtaining pure locality Peru boas and has been successfully breeding them for several years. Currently we are producing excellent Peru red-tails from both of the more recognized localities, Iquitos and Pucallpa.

The temperament of the Peruvian constrictor has been described as anything from entirely docile to nearly un-manageable. Our experience has been that some juveniles do go through a phase where they seem fearful of everything and calming them is difficult. We give these plenty of privacy and gentle handling. All have become reasonable by age 3. Probably, those keepers unable to observe the captive condition and requirements of their boas and respond to those needs should not acquire a pure Peruvian boa if they must be assured of a docile pet.

Iquitos and Pucallpa boas raised here mature in 4 to 6 years at lengths of 1.5 to 2 meters. Peruvian boas rarely, if ever, display the ‘Suriname syndrome’ of regurgitation and the accompanying weight-loss and associated problems but it is still our practice to feed conservatively and avoid any sign of obesity in growing Peruvian boas. These red-tails require enhanced seasonality for best growth and repeated breeding success. Unlike imperator localities Peru boas will often breed at mean low temperatures during the seasonal cycle.

– A. Rentfro, RioBravoReptiles.com
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Iquitos Redtail Boas ( Boa constrictor c )

Iquitos boas are generally more evenly and classically marked than those from some other areas. Bold markings and jet-speckles are contrasted against clear background colors. Most do strongly display the trademark dorsa-lateral (top-to-side) color contrast of the Peru red-tails. Some exceptional Iquitos red-tails have a beautiful golden dorsal tone. We have coined the term 'Iquitos Gold' to describe one of our bloodlines of beautiful golden-yellow Peruvian red-tails. Neonate Iquitos red-tails from large females are the largest and heaviest of baby boas we have seen. From our Iquitos line babies are commonly over 24" in length and can take weaned rats within a few weeks of birth. However, even large females will not produce litters of more than about 24 babies. Much fewer than would be expected from a similar-sized common boa.

Pucallpa, Peru Red-Tailed Boas ( Boa constrictor c )

Not all boas from the Pucallpa region of Peru are yellow, but the Pucallpa locality has produced some of the most amazing yellow and yellow-tailed boas ever seen. Pucallpa red-tails are somewhat more variable in appearance than Iquitos animals and pattern anomalies are frequently seen. These boas also generally have less spectacular red-tails but the surprising color and patterns more than make up for that lack. Pucallpa boas are also known to be somewhat smaller than average for Peru red-tails with large adults commonly being not much over two meters in length. Although there are few finite definitions between these groups newborn Pucallpa boas from our adults are somewhat smaller than their Iquitos counterparts and display more prominent eye-orbits. The most spectacular yellow adult Pucallpa redtails usually display very dark or even black tails when small.

Newborn Iquitos, Peru true Redtail boas ( Boa constrictor c )

Neonate Peruvian boas are large and vigorous. Peru redtails do not usually deliver high numbers of young.

Newborn Pucallpa, Peru true Redtail boas ( Boa constrictor c )

Pucallpa boas from our group are variable in pattern and can be among the most yellow of any redtails we have seen. The brightest yellow adult Pucallpa boas will display dark or even black tails as neonates.

Juvenile Pucallpa, Peru true Redtail boa. ( Boa constrictor c )

One of our 2002 yellow-phase litter at age 9 months.

Rio Bravo Reptiles breeds top quality boa constrictors including redtail, insular, island and dwarf boas.
We also offer selected captive crotalids. You'll find information on these animals as well as detailed
Care and 'How To' guides here on our site.

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