Adoption Details For Rigatoni!
Name:
Rigatoni
Animal Id:
10419
Date Created:
2/14/2023 5:51:30 PM
Age:
10 Year(s) 11 Month(s) Old
Type:
Snake
Gender:
Undetermined
Primary Breed:
Common Boa Constrictor
Spayed / Neutered:
No
Secondary Breed:
Microchip:
Primary Color:
Gray
Markings:
Secondary Color:
Black
Pattern:
Weight:
19 lbs
Meet Rigatoni, affectionately named because he’s truly one big, lovable noodle! Rigatoni is a sweet, calm, gentle, and quiet adult Common Boa Imperator who is happiest lounging peacefully in a lap. Friendly, easy to handle, and always curious, Rigatoni settles right down when held and makes for an ideal “lap snake.”
Rigatoni came to us when his previous owner, facing housing issues, had to make the heart-wrenching decision to surrender him. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t find a new place that could accommodate a 7-foot, 17+ pound snake with a 15-inch girth. They loved Rigatoni deeply and wanted to ensure he’d be in good hands.
With his impressive size and beautiful tail that could easily be mistaken for that of a Red-Tailed Boa, Rigatoni has a pearlescent glow that’s almost reminiscent of a Rainbow Boa. He’s already large but has the potential to grow up to 9 feet in length. Although his exact age isn’t known, he is an adult, and Boas like Rigatoni can live 20 to 30 years with proper care.
Rigatoni’s forever home should include a spacious, secure habitat tailored to his current and future size needs. He’s relatively low-maintenance, requiring the right diet, substrate, temperature, and humidity to stay healthy. We’re looking for a reptile-experienced home, ideally with experience in handling larger snakes. The rescue team is ready to support Rigatoni’s adopters with training, education, and ongoing guidance.
Is Rigatoni Your Perfect Match? If you have the space, experience, and dedication for this gentle giant, Rigatoni could be the ideal companion for you! Click the Adoption Application button below and one of our counselors will reach out.
PLEASE NOTE:
1- We can only accept applications from interested parties who are in or near San Diego County, California at this time.
2- We do not ship reptiles but we may be willing to work with you if you are willing to travel if you are still in Southern California.
3- #2 will depend on the animal that you are applying for and is at the discretion of the board of directors.
Quick Reference Guide
Animal Type
Snake
Breed
Common Boa Constrictor
Introduction
Boa imperator is a wide-ranging species, living in both Central America and the northern parts of South America. As a result, the appearance of this snake varies greatly depending on the specific locality. As one of the smaller Boa species, they average between 4.2 ft. and 8.2 ft. in length when fully grown, but have been known to reach 12 ft. They usually weigh around 13 lb, although females are significantly larger than males. Lifespan in the wild is around 20–30 years, but 40 can be exceeded in captivity. These snakes are nocturnal, which means that they are most active at night.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Difficulty Notes
Boa imperator is one of the most common snakes kept in captivity; this is mainly due to their calm dispositions, impressive size potential and variety of color and pattern choices. It can be a little diffcult to read their body language if you are inexperienced. Captive common boas often tolerate being handled for extended periods.
Basking Temp
80-90
Ambient Temp
80-90
Lowest Temp
75-80
Temp Notes
Boas do best when there is a temperature gradient in their enclosure. Make sure to provide a hot end and cold end so that they can sel regulate thier own temperature.
Diet
Carnivore
Diet Notes
As a general rule, a meal should weigh no more than 10% of your boa’s weight, or no larger than the widest part of the snake’s body. In the first year it is best to feed weekly, but as the snake gets older its metabolism slows down and you will need to increase the time between feeding up to 4-6 weeks for an adult. This will need to be adjusted to your specific snake to maintain a healthy weight.
UVA Intensity
Tropical
UVB Intensity
Low/Occasional
Ferguson Zone
2
Lighting Notes
While they are nocturnal, they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are too low.
Enclosure Size
Large Semi-Arborial
Enclosure Notes
As semi-arboreal snakes, young Boa imperator may climb into trees and shrubs to forage; however, they become mostly terrestrial as they become older and heavier.
Substrate
Coco Chips
Substrate Notes
It’s extremely absorbent, fluffy, holds moisture well, and cheap. Plus it’s much more eco-friendly than peat.
Humidity
High (70-100%)
Humidity Notes
While boas can tollerate higher humidity for short periods of time, it can lead to resperatory infection. A target humidity on the lower side near 70% is ideal with periods of higher humidty durring shedding.
Animal Reference Material:
| Category | Title | AnimalType | Breed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Care | *SBRSC Large Boa Consrictor Information Guide for Adoption | Snake | Common Boa Constrictor | |
| Animal Care | Common Boa Constrictor Care: Feeding, Housing, and Handling | Snake | Common Boa Constrictor | |
| Animal Care | Snake UVB Lighting: What you need to know! | Snake |