You can’t decide if they’ll make a great pet when you don’t know the size and needs of a full-grown Columbian Red Tail Boa, so I give you all the deets in this article.
Yes, I have one, and believe me when I say they’re way more than a handful! Not only to care for but literally.
Columbian Red Tail Boas are not meant for first-time snake owners unless you’re into big things. Once you have everything set up, they’re docile and easy to care for, but a large snake is a large responsibility, and constrictors have different needs than smaller species.
Here’s what you’re getting yourself into!
Fast Facts About Columbian Red Tail Boas
Besides their size, you need to know a few other things before buying a Columbian Red Tail Boa. These are important for me to mention because many captive snakes end up in the wild when owners realize what they signed up for.
- Red Tail Boas can live up to 30 years in captivity, so you’re taking on a huge, long-term responsibility!
- You need a lot of room to comfortably house a Red Tail Boa – their enclosure should be at least 10 feet long.
- Columbian Red Tail Boas are escape artists, so whichever enclosure you choose should leave no room for error.
- The older these snakes get, the more challenging it gets to handle them.
Learn more about The Redtail Boa Breeders Guide
Big, Bigger, Huge!
Columbian Red Tail Boas should be respected. These snakes get big, and their size is nothing to joke around about. I suggest you gain some experience before committing to a Boa, either from a friend who has one or regular visits to a breeder.
This is what you can expect from birth to maturity:
Columbian Red Tail Boa: Newborn
At birth, a Columbian Red Tail Boa is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. They’re between 14″ and 22″ and weigh 2 – 3 oz. They can grow between 3 and 4 feet in their first year and eat small mice or rats.
Young Boas are nippy and may bite you. Their bites are quick and painless but can hurt as they grow older. It’s essential to start taming your Red Tail Boa early on to avoid aggressive behavior as they mature. I recommend handling your newborn Boa at least twice a week and interacting near their cage daily.
Boas are fully formed at birth, and the sooner you take them into your care, the better. Most breeders might want to hang onto their snakelets until they’ve digested their first meal, so it’s best to make arrangements with the one you’re buying from.
Once your newborn Boa is home, you should feed them every 5 – 7 days.
Columbian Red Tail Boa: Juvenile
After 6 months, your baby Boa will no longer be a newborn. You can expect them to be around 3 feet long and approximately 30 pounds.
At this size, they need food every 10 – 14 days, and you can feed them small birds, lizards, mice, rats, or other mammals. You can provide your Boa with freshly killed food if you’re up to it, but thawed meals work great too.
If you regularly handle your snake from birth, they’ll be quite tame by this age and easy to hold. They may even seek a comfortable spot on your shoulders or around your arm when you allow them!
Learn more about Are Red Tail Boas Good Pets? Here’s What you Should Know!
Columbian Red Tail Boa: Full Grown Adult
Red Tail Boas are considered mature by their third year. Depending on their enclosure conditions and how well you feed them, yours may be up to 7 feet long and weigh around 60 pounds. Like I said – they get big!
By maturity, you’ll still need to feed your Boa every 7 to 10 days, and their diet stays unchanged.
After their third year with you, your bond should be pretty strong. Your Boa will be used for your voice, scent, and facial expressions. This doesn’t mean that you can discard all previous handling rules. Full-grown Boas can be dangerous when they bite or wrap, so it’s best to only handle your mature snake when someone who can help you escape is around.
Your Columbian Red Tail Boa will continue to grow after reaching maturity. It’s rare to see these snakes exceed 10 feet, but they can weigh up to 80 pounds.
Learn more about Albino Red Tail Boa Full Grown: Length And Weight
Wrapping it Up
Columbian Red Tail Boas are non-venomous and safe to keep as pets. Despite their size, they don’t prey on humans unless you give them a reason. If you raise your Boa with care, they are unlikely to ever bite you.
When deciding if a Columbian Red Tail Boa is the right snake for you, you must keep their needs, lifespan, and size in mind. Many people think they have what it takes to care for a large snake until their pet reaches maturity. It is at this stage that many Boas become neglected or set free in the wild.
I hope after reading this article, you have a better idea of how big a full-grown Columbian Red Tail Boa can get. If you’re stuck at a crossroads and can’t decide whether this subspecies is what you want, ask any more questions about Red Tail Boas in the comments, and I’ll happily answer them!
How long does it take for a Red Tail Boa to be full-grown?
Red Tail Boas can become very large and take three to five years to reach maturity. Some continue to grow after this.
Are Columbian Red Tail Boas aggressive?
Typically, Columbian Red Tail Boas aren't aggressive, but they may bite you if they mistake your hand for food.
How old is a 6 foot Red Tail Boa?
A 6 foot Red Tail Boa is approximately two years old.
What does a full-grown Red Tail Boa eat?
Mature Red Tail Boas can eat amphibians, birds, eggs, mice, rats, and small mammals no bigger than their girth.
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