RecoverySnakes
Rosy boa care guide
Lichanura trivirgata
A slow-moving desert boa from the American southwest. Dry, warm and easy — overfeeding and wet substrate are the two real risks.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Rosy boa enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult rosy boa should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 12" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 18" H (4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 90-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 8" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen on a dimming thermostat over one end.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–88°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F
- Night
- 65–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–3). Run lights on a 12 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–40%. Dry throughout with a humid hide offered during shed cycles.
Substrate and depth
Aspen or sand/soil desert blend. Depth: 2–4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Warm and cool hides
- Rock piles and cork
- Low branch
- Small water dish
Build list
- 48x24x18 terrarium — Adults use the length even though they move slowly.
- Halogen + T5 UVB — Basking gradient with modest UV.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Desert substrate blend — Stays dry and holds burrow shape.
Rosy boa FAQ
How big should an adult Rosy boa enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 18" H — about 4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, or a 90-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Rosy boa need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface, warm side 85–88°F, cool side 72–78°F, night 65–75°F. Overhead halogen on a dimming thermostat over one end.
Does a Rosy boa need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–3). Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a Rosy boa need?
30–40%. Dry throughout with a humid hide offered during shed cycles.
What substrate is best for a Rosy boa?
Aspen or sand/soil desert blend, at a depth of 2–4 in.
How big does a Rosy boa enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 18" L × 12" W × 8" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own rosy boa record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.