Boa Constrictor

The name "red tailed" boa actually refers to only one subspecies of boa constrictor, the true red tailed BCC or Boa constrictor constrictor. Boa constrictors, depending on their sex and subspecies, can reach from 5 to 12 feet as adults. The largest boa constrictor in captivity is a 14.5-foot long female BCC from Suriname that resides at the San Diego Zoo. Constrictors or BCIs are commonly misnamed "red tailed" boas and are the most common in captivity by far. They have an attractive and interesting pattern of brown to reddish-brown or black "saddles" or dorsal blobs of color on a lighter background color which can range through white, golden, grey or brownish, pink, with a reddish brown tail .They do well in captivity, become quite docile, and are a common sight in zoos. Boas can easily live to be 20 to 30 years old in captivity, with rare accounts of them over 40 years, making them a long-term commitment as a pet. Animal husbandry is the most significant factor in captive lifespan.Female boas produce live offspring instead of laying eggs. Fertilization by the male is internal. During copulation, females can cling to the male via a small set of "spurs" that are generally hidden below scales on either side of the vent and are actually remnants of the hind legs. The gestation period of boas is 108 days after the post ovulation shed.