Before you get one as a pet, you need to ask: How big is a full-grown female Red Tail Boa? Knowing this will help you decide if this snake is right for you!
Red Tail Boas are constrictors, and these snakes get really big. Unlike many other animals, female Boas are larger than males, so you should properly prepare if you’re thinking of getting one.
In this article, I share how big female Red Tail Boas grow, what to feed them to stay healthy, how to set up a great enclosure for yours, and some other exciting facts you probably didn’t know!
How Big Is A Full-Grown Female Red Tail Boa?
Female Red Tail Boas are always larger than males, and in nature, this is due to sexual dimorphism.
In captivity, some female Boas have grown larger, but the average length they reach is 7 to 9 feet.
Female Red Tail Boa Growth Chart
As female Red Tail Boas mature, their growth slows down. Knowing this can help you estimate how old a snake is.
Baby Female Red Tail Boa
A female Red Tail Boa will weigh approximately 2 ounces and be 17 to 20 inches long at birth. Once your Boa is about 7 months, it should have grown to around 30 pounds and 3 feet.
Female Boas rapidly gain length and weight in their first few months and then steadily grow from there.
Juvenile Female Red Tail Boa
By the age of 2, a typical Female Red Tail Boa will weigh 60 pounds and be roughly 6 feet long.
At 3, your female Red Tail Boa should tip the scales at 70 to 80 pounds and measure between 7 and 8 feet long.
Adult Female Red Tail Boa
Your female Red Tail Boa will reach maturity at age 4, and by then, a weight of 80 to 90 pounds is the norm. You can expect an average length of 9 feet.
Red Tail boas can continue to grow gradually after the age of four.
When Does A Female Red Tail Boa Reach Sexual Maturity
Female Red Tail Boas reach sexual maturity between years 2 and 3. They still grow a lot after this and will only mate when they’re ready.
How Many Eggs Can A Female Red Tail Boa Lay?
None! Female Red Tail Boas do not lay eggs.
These amazing snakes fall under the approximately 30% of snake species that give birth to live young. Typically, there are 10 babies in a litter, but one with 65 snakes has been recorded! The average litter size is 25 babies.
Babies are independent soon after birth and move away from their mothers by keeping to treetops for safety. Boas spend more time on the ground as they grow and get heavier.
The Best Diet For A Female Red Tail Boa For Growth
You should feed your female Red Tail Boa a nutritious diet to ensure they grow at a healthy pace and reach sexual maturity on time.
Baby Female Boa: You should feed your female baby Boa small mice known as pinkies.
Mature Female Boa: Grown Boa snakes should eat a diet consisting of giant mice, rats, rabbits, or chickens. All prey should come from a trusted source and be served thawed. Never give your grown female Boa live prey.
You can add a good multivitamin to your snakes’ diet from birth. A calcium supplement with every fourth or fifth feeding will keep your snake healthy.
Note: Never feed live prey or try to serve your Boa by hand. Your Boa might mistake your hand for food and inflict a painful bite. You should also try feeding your snake in a separate feeding tank to avoid them biting you or ingesting their substrate.
Read more about Colombian Red Tail Boa Growth Rate
Housing A Female Red Tail Boa
To choose the best enclosure for your full-grown female Red Tail Boa, you need to keep a few things in mind:
- Choose a tank that’s secure and inescapable. Boas are masters at escaping and will take almost any opportunity to do so.
- Ensure that your enclosure is big enough for your female Boa to comfortably stretch out and move around in. When they fully extend themselves, they shouldn’t touch any sides.
- Add hiding spots like reptile caves, logs, and plastic containers.
- Boas come from tropical climates, so ensure your tank imitates this. Humidity and temperature levels play a big role in your snakes’ health.
- Add a large water bowl to your snake enclosure, so your Boa has a place to relax in. This bowl will also help them when they shed since moist skin sheds easier.
- A good substrate or reptile mat should mimic your Boas’ natural habitat.
- Place big branches that are sturdy enough for climbing in your Boa enclosure. Remember that they should be strong enough to carry your snake’s weight.
Enclosures that are too small or not sturdy enough will lead to an unhappy snake and possible injury or death. You should choose and set your Boa tank up with care.
Final Words
If you like larger snakes, a female Red Tail Boa is an excellent pick. This species does well in captivity, and female snakes are pretty docile and easy to handle.
Housing a female Boa is the same as housing a male. The most important thing to remember is that your enclosure should be big and inescapable, and your food source should come from a reputable seller.
I hope this article was helpful and that you enjoyed reading it. If you have any more questions, pop them in the comments!
How can you tell if a Red Tail Boa is male or female?
Sexual dimorphism makes it easy to distinguish between male and female Boas. Males have longer and broader tales, while females have smaller spurs.
How long does it take for a Red Tail Boa to reach full size?
Your Red Tail Boa will reach maturity by the age of 4 or 5, although they gradually grow after this.
Do male or female Red Tail Boas get bigger?
Female Red Tail Boas grow larger than males.
Learn more about Are Red Tail Boas Good Pets? Here’s What you Should Know!