How big is a full-grown Boa Constrictor? This is one of the many good questions you need to ask before buying one as a pet!
Boa Constrictors get pretty large, and not every pet owner can care for and handle one. Before you decide to purchase one, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.
There are many important things about this snake species to know, but how big they are when fully grown is one of the first! Without knowing their size, you won’t be able to prepare.
In this article, I share the full-grown size of a Boa Constrictor, what influences their growth, and why these snakes grow so big!
How Big Is A Full-Grown Boa Constrictor?
Boa is a large snake species typically reaching lengths of about 10 feet when they’re fully grown.
Some snakes have reached 18 feet, but it’s rare, especially in captivity.
Female Boas are larger than males. They can grow to between 7 and 10 feet, while males only reach a length of 6 to 8 feet.
How Long Do Boas Take To Reach Their Full Size?
Boas reach sexual maturity around age 2 or 3 but are only fully grown by the time they’re 6.
Many factors can influence the growth of your Boa, including their environment, diet, and general health.
Learn more about How Big Do Pet Boa Constrictors Get? The Truth!
Why Boa Constrictors Are So Large
As their name suggests, Boa Constrictors are snakes who constrict their prey. Without strength and size on their side, this would be a challenging task.
Boas typically catch small prey like rodents and squirrels, but they’ll eat anything they can fit through their jaw. If available, a Boa Constrictor will hunt a monkey, a pig, and even a deer.
Smaller meals are relatively easy to catch and kill, but Boas need a lot of strength to constrict bigger mammals. Luckily, they’re big enough to successfully do this, but without their length and power, they wouldn’t have been able.
If you’re keeping a Boa as a pet, they’ll reach their full-grown size. While they don’t need it to capture prey in captivity, they still grow this big.
Factors That Influence The Growth Of A Boa Constrictor
Their Environment
Your Boas’ enclosure has a significant influence on the growth they reach. Everything about their environment impacts your snakes’ health.
The temperature, humidity, activity accessories, and water access need to be right for your Boa to thrive. Here are some guidelines to set up your Boa Constrictor enclosure:
Temperature: 75°F on the cold side and 85°F on the warm side
Humidity: The humidity levels in a Boa Constrictor enclosure should be between 60 and 70. It’s best to install a hygrometer to monitor these levels.
Decor: Boas like to hide, climb and cool off in the water. You should add logs, branches, and a big water bowl to their enclosure. Helping them keep active will improve their health and ensure they grow at a good pace.
Water Bowl: Besides having a bowl for your Boa to cool off in or lay when they need help shedding, you need to place a dish in their enclosure with fresh, clean drinking water. Without access to clean water, your Boa can become dehydrated, decreasing their health.
Their Diet
Boas will eat anything they can catch in the wild, and their prey is typically much larger than them! Birds, monkeys, deer, and wild pigs are all on their menu, but feeding them these in captivity isn’t possible.
Your captive Boa can enjoy a diet consisting of thawed chickens, mice, and rats. You should only serve quality food from a trusted source if you’re not breeding their meals yourself. Feeding your pet snake food infected with parasites could lead to severe health issues and negatively impact their growth.
If you notice your Boa has any deficiencies, you can add a calcium or Vitamin D3 supplement to their diet.
Their Health
Even if you do everything by the books, some snakes are more prone to health issues than others. If you have a sickly snake, you might notice some delays in its growth.
You can talk to your specialized vet to find solutions for your snakes’ health conditions, but some of them can’t be cured.
Are There Different Sized Boa Constrictors?
There are several different Boa Constrictor subspecies, ranging from a disputed number of six to eleven. Although all Boas are relatively large, some subspecies can grow bigger than others.
The Rubber Boa is one of the smallest and only reaches about two feet in length.
Before Slithering Off
Boa Constrictors make lovely pets, but it’s best to choose a smaller species if you’re not ready for a snake this big. A bigger snake means you’ll need a larger enclosure, more food, and a braver heart to handle them.
Many factors can influence the growth of your pet Boa, but if they’re born with a strong immune system, and you take proper care of them, they’ll likely reach their average full-grown size.
I hope this article shed enough light on the full-grown size of a Boa Constrictor and that you found it helpful. If you have any more questions about this snake species, ask them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you!
How long does it take for a Boa Constrictor to reach full size?
It can take a Boa Constrictor up to 6 years to reach their full size in lenght and weight. They'll continue to grow after this, but you'll likely not notice it.
How big is a 2-year-old Boa?
The average lenght of a 2-year-old female Boa is 6 feet, and they typically weigh 60 pounds at this age. Males are smaller and only weigh 50 pounds with a lenght of around 5 feet.
How much does a 14 ft Boa Constrictor weigh?
Most Boas only grow to about 10 feet, so the average weight of a 14 feet snake hasn't been determined yet. Guessing, a Boa this long will weigh between 60 and 80 pounds.