Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am interested in getting one or more rubber boas. I want to do so for a few reasons. I live in Southwestern Oregon and Rubber Boas are native to the area. I like keeping native animals. I currently keep one other native species(Elgaria coerulea), but I have kept other native in the past. I have been looking into getting a snake and I was leaning towards a sand boa, but now I think a rubber boa might be a better choice. I caught a new born rubber boa when I was a child, and I like that snake very much. I actually caught it while at school. I was in the 5th, possibly 6th grade. I don't know if I liked the snake for it docile demeanor, because it was small, or just for the fact it was a snake. They seem like really neat little creatures and I think they would be a joy to be around. I would like to get on or possibly two to start with. Does anyone know where I can get rubber boas? It doesn't really matter, but how much do they normally cost? Does anyone here keep them? Do they really hibernate most of the year, or are they more active if you keep them at optimal temps? Are they generally out and about, or do they spend most of their time under the substrate. I was planning of using a coconut fiber substrate. It holds humidity well, keeps it shape if burrows are constructed, and is fairly easy to clean. Also, I am going to get some for another animals enclosure, so it will be available. Is this an okay substrate or should I use something else like aspen? I read all of the information of rubberboas.com(among other websites). I know they are nocturnal and crepuscular, but I was wondering if any keepers noticed them active at all during the day? Sorry for all of the questions. Thanks for the help, Josh

I'll leave your care questions to the experts Or, you can scroll down as there were some good discussions not too long ago.

Check the classifieds for availibility, someone is offering captive born rubbers.

-Alice

There is great info at www.rubberboas.com. Richard Hoyer knows a great deal. I can tell you how I kept mine, and they did great for me.

I used to maintain a few (a friend has them this year). They like cool temps but with a small basking area. I keep the basking spot at around 82 deg, but the rest of the tank stays at whatever the room is. They eat great in Spring, go on some fasts here and there, and then stop feeding for me in Summer. I cool them in Winter as cold as I can where I live, which means in the 50s and 60s usually, until mid Feb or so. These temps may not be cold enough for breeding (I never have tried), but the snakes seem just fine when they wake up in Spring.

Mine can be out any time of day or night but usually are most active at dusk. They will hide under objects in the cage or in the substrate, which is a mix of fir bark, pine shavings and Eco-earth (I think Eco-earth is ground-up coconut fiber).

Caution: Rubber boas do not like too warm a cage or too dry a cage. I always kept some of the cage dry and the other part slightly moist.

n/p

Josh,
I live in Corvallis and have maintained the species continuously since 1962.

I try to mimic what occurs in nature so remove all external heat source at or near the end of Oct. Locally, male boas begin showing up under surface objects during suitable weather conditions in Feb. So if I intend to make crosses with captive males, I will place them in a cage with a heat source around the end of Feb. or first part of March. I bring the females out 3 - 4 weeks later at about the end of March to first part of April which pretty much coinsides with what occurs locally in the wild.

Since you mention that the species occurs where you live, you might consider capturing your own rather than purchasing the species.

If you have other questions, I can be reached at charinabottae@earthlink.net

Richard F. Hoyer

What heat source do you use UTH or overhead heat and what temps do you keep during summer before removing them?
I find the temp thing a bit confusing . I am planning for a pair in a 30 gallon long tank .
I have the option of just putting the tank in my basement during summer as temps are not as cool as upstairs (I run ac at 68 degrees upstairs).
Basement temps are mid 70s or I could keep upstairs with heat source?

where can I find a rubber boa around grants pass in the wild.....

I would really love to photograph one in the wild,around the rogue valley.