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Last updated : 11/03/2007

This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 8. Links - Species Specific and the Section: Snakes: Boas

Introduction

This page contains a selection of the best links found on the reptile species: Rosy Boa (sp. Lichanura). The navigation table on the top left will take you directly to the defined topics, such as  Natural Habitat, Captive care, Breeders, Pictures, More information, Other information and Taxonomy.

Please feel free to advise any incorrect allocations or descriptions and to request any additional links to your favorite website on this subject.

A brief snippet about Rosy Boa

A brief introduction to the species will be inserted here ..... coming soon! In the interim we have a number of links on the species, listed on this page.

This snake occurs naturally in California, Arizona, and Mexico. Daily bag limits of 2 exist for rosy boas in both states with a possession limit of 2 in California and 4 in Arizona. It is generally not possible to obtain a permit from Mexico for legal commercial export of reptiles. Recently California has changed its laws regarding the commercial captive propagation of rosy boas and with a permit there is no limit on possession.

The Rosy Boa is one of the smallest members of the Boa family, and rarely grows much larger than 3 feet (1 meter) in length. It has a heavy-bodied build, a short, blunt tail and small head. Its eyes have elliptical pupils like those of a cat.

General description: A rosy boa is a small heavy-bodied snake with a small head that is barely distinct from the neck. The Whitewater population represents a natural intergrade between the subspecies gracia and roseofuscus. Typically this form is a grayish brown with three orange longitudinal stripes and with orange scales freckling the sides and stomach. We maintain a large group of the albino form of this sandboa. They are white with bright orange stripes and lots of tiny orange freckles in the white. Eye color varies from golden to gray, the pupils are ruby-red.

Captive breeding of the Lichanura is straightforward and very successful when only a few requirements are adhered to. These requirements include the cage, media within the cage, food and water, brumation and general health.

Breeding Rosy Boas One of the questions we get asked quite often is "Which type of snake is easiest to breed for a beginner". Our answer is always the Rosy Boa. The reasons for this are numerous, such as lack of need for incubators (they have living young) and the ease of getting neonates to feed and survive.

The rosy boa, Lichanura trivirgata, is one of only two boas found in the United States. Because of their gentle disposition and moderate size rosy boas make excellent pets. The rosy boa is a small boa, ranging from 24 to 42 inches (61 to 107 cm.) and weighing about 125g. They can live for 18 years in captivity. They have small eyes with vertical pupils, small head scales, and males can be distinguished from females based on the presence of spurs. Most rosy boas have three dorsal stripes, varying from well-defined to poorly-defined, and can be quite variable in color depending on subspecies and locality of origin.

Distribution — As one of only two North American boas, these snakes are found in southwestern California and Arizona. Habitat — Dry, rocky, desert and semi-desert scrub. Adult Size — Rosy Boas are not the large snakes normally pictured when one thinks of boas. They stay fairly small, and are therefore much more managable for the average keeper. They generally range in size from 24" to 30" (60cm - 75cm). Rosies, as they are affectionately called, are also a very stocky snake. A large adult could easily consume a jumbo mouse on a regular basis.

Welcome to American Desert Boas! Our collection of captive bred locality pure and designer rosy boas represents the most interesting and impressive examples of color and stripe morphology. This rare captive breeding colony of locality pure rosy boas was established through many gener

Our collection of captive bred locality pure and designer rosy boas represents the most interesting and impressive examples of color and stripe morphology. This rare captive breeding colony of locality pure rosy boas was established through many generations of careful selective breeding and outbreeding to achieve the most beautiful and robust rosy boas for each locality.

Pictures by locality

The main objective of this site is to promote the uniqueness that locality Rosy Boas posses through information and education. Even within a specific mountain range, Rosy Boas can be quite variable in color and pattern.

Introduction The Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) has recently become one of the more popular reptiles to own and keep in captivity. The reasons for the Rosy Boa’s popularity are numerous and well merited. They are docile, slow moving snakes which seldom bite, are represented by a wide spectrum of interesting colors and stripe patterns, and are generally easy to maintain and propagate. This care sheet will outline successful strategies for maintaining rosy boas based upon experience with L. trivirgata ssp. from many different geographic localities.

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Last updated : 13-01-2008