How long do Rubber Boas live?
Rubber boas live 20-30 years and reach 14-30 inches (35-75 cm), typically 50-200 grams, with a distinctive blunt tail that mimics the head.
What do Rubber Boas eat?
They eat small prey: pinky mice for juveniles and adults, occasionally fuzzy mice for large individuals; some wild adults take lizard eggs and small snakes. Feed every 7-14 days, one small prey item. Never feed live prey; no insects or plants. They are slow, gentle feeders.
Rubber Boa enclosure setup
An adult needs a 10-20 gallon terrarium with a deep, diggable substrate (aspen/coco) for burrowing and a secure lid. Keep it COOL: warm side 75-80°F (24-27°C), cool side 65-72°F (18-22°C), and a night drop to 60-65°F (15-18°C). Humidity 50-60% with a water bowl and humid hide. UVB is optional. Avoid heat mats set too high — they burrow and can burn.
Common mistakes with Rubber Boas
Key errors: overheating (they are cool-climate and bake easily), too dry (bad sheds), cohabiting with other snakes (they eat them), and excessive handling of a secretive burrower.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Overheating — cool-climate boas die in hot tanks.
- Too dry — poor sheds for a burrowing species.
- Cohabiting with other snakes — rubber boas eat them.
- Hot heat mat with deep substrate — they burrow onto it and burn.