Madagascan Ground Boa
Boa madagascariensis

Other species covered by this caresheet: (Malagasy ground boa, Pelophilus Madagascariensis…)

Family: Boidae
Subfamily: Acrantophis

The Madagasgcan Ground Boa as the name suggests, is a terrestrial species endemic to Madagascar, and the island of Nosey Be.  They range across the north and central areas of the island, normally in woodland areas.  They are a CITES protected species, currently listed as VU (vunerable) and threatened with extiction which prevents internatinoal trade.  They are occasionally available however as captive bred specimens, but must be sold with the correct paperwork to prove origin.

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Growth and longevity

The Madagascan ground boa is a medium sized boa, with an average male size of around 8 feet in length, making it the largest of the Madagascan species (usually a couple of foot longer than the Dumerils boa).  As is normal with most boas, the females tend to be larger than males.  Like all boas they give birth to live young, with litters of 10 - 25 neonates, and can live for more than 20 years.

Feeding

Neonates can be fed on fuzzy mice offered weekly. You should increase the size of prey offered as your boa grows, never exceding the girth of the snake. Adults will take large rats, offered fortnightly.  These boas will normally take defrosted rodents readily.  Check out the boa feeding tips page on this site.

Housing

A vivarium mearsuring 6′ length by 3′ width would be suitable for an adult Madagascan ground boa. They are a terrestrial species although branches should be provided as they will climb on occassion and will sometimes hunt from the trees in the wild.

Housing, heating, lighting and water requirements are similar to those for Boa Constrictor, except that these boas requires a higher humidity and so a wet hide filled with damp moss should be provided and changed regularly, and the enclosure should be misted with water, especially when the snake is shedding.  Temperatures should be around the low 90s at the warm end, droping to the high 70s at the cooler end to allow correct thermoregulation.

Handling the Madagascan Ground Boa

These boas are known to strike as a feeding response, but by taking sensible precautions you can minimise the chances of a bite.  Never put your hand into the vivarium if you have been handling prey items, or if you have prey items defrosting in the same room.  Avoid handling immediately before feeding, and for 24 hours after.  It is a good idea to gently ‘tap’ your Madagascan boa prior to picking it up.  This ‘tap training’ will teach your boa that it is not being fed, and will help to reduce the chance of your hand being mistaken as food.

Other than as a feeding response, these boas are unlikely to bite, and are generally laid back and docile.  Like the Dumerils, they make excellent pets are are a joy to handle.

Breeding, and health issues.

The Dumerils Boa breeds well in captivity. Breeding and health issues are beyond the scope of this caresheet. Please check the other sections of this web site.