Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased a female Red Tail Boa and was told that she may be possibly gravid. Is there any way to find out for certain whether or not she is gravid? If she is gravid, is there any special treatment I need to provide for her? I know she would probably need higher and more constant temperatures in her cage. She is about 6 ft long and in a 55 gallon tank, is this big enough or should she be in a larger enclosure? Also, I heard that when the babies are born they need to be placed individually in separate cages because sometimes they fight. I have heard that some people set up racks with plastic shoeboxes to accomplish this, so would it be best to set up something like that in case she is gravid?

Thanks

Well thats alot of questions. When you say may be possibly gravid what do you mean? Was copulation or ovulation seen?

In any case that size cage is large enough for the time being and I would not attempt to move her if she may be gravid. The think you really need to do is give her a good temp gradient. with a hot spot in the 90-95 degree range. Gravid females usually like to keep there temp. in the 86-89 degree range.

As far as the babies go I keep my babies together for about the first week, so if the rack setup is something that you see yourself making yourself and being able to put together in a week you would be fine to wait until the babies are born to make this accommodation, unless of course your are fairly certain she is gravid then by all means get a head start.

Hope this helps

I personally did not see copulation or ovulation in this snake. The previous owners did not go into detail as far as why they thought she was gravid. I know she was housed with a male Boa for some time, but I am not certain how long.

Ultrasound will confirm if she is or is not gravid.
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