Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some years ago I read on one keeper's site that boas prefer the "feel" of substrate, like cypress mulch or aspen, as opposed to a paper substrate. If using paper, they said to use dimpled kraft paper vs newspaper.

In any case, I have a baby CA boa that I had on unprinted newspaper. The snake would hiss at me and strike like crazy, even with a nice dark hide in there. This went on for weeks. Remembering what I read before, I removed the paper and put in cypress mulch. That was the only change. No more hissing or striking. Like an On/Off switch. It has been a few weeks, no hissing still.

Have you folks noticed anything like that with baby boas, that they are calmer with substrate?

I've heard from many reptile breeders that aspen beading is ideal for females when breeding. Most cypress mulch I was only for my blood and carpet pythons just because it holds a more consistent humidity throughout the day so I don't have to mist as much as my boas. Most of my boas are just kept on seventh generation paper towels because it hypoallergenic and no dyes ECT. They seem always content with it 😊

Someone emailed me to tell me that Central American boas (like the one in question) can be fairly arboreal in nature as babies. If they do not have climbing opportunity in captivity, then a wooded substrate and plant cover or a hide is the next best thing. Much moreso than for Colombian boas, which generally do not care either way.

I find this noteworthy. Perhaps the reputation of CA boas being temperamental can be addressed by husbandry. I guess I will find out.

I've had a few over the years that did seem to be more defensive when they weren't kept on aspen/cypress. Most though I saw no real difference with them.
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Reptiles Make The World Go Round.

Years ago I kept boas & pythons on aspen. For the past 12 years I kept them on newspaper with the last three years on indented craft paper. All of mine are very tame and I notice no difference in temperament or aggression whether kept on loose substrate or paper. I do feel that paper makes for a much more efficient, clean environment for the snakes. Bill
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
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