Best Substrate For Rosy Boa Reviews 2022

So, you’re into slithering creatures as a pet. That’s why you got yourself a rosy boa, an adorable, slithery companion you can pet and handle.

However, it is not just about handling and petting. In order to make sure that your rosy boa is comfortable and healthy enough, you need to provide it the best environment to live on, and that includes getting the Best Substrate For Rosy Boa.

But, before that, let’s get to know your new, slithery friend, first.

The Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)

An ideal pet for beginners and those who love medium-sized snake, the rosy boa is slow-moving, docile and rarely bite and prefer to ball up instead of attacking threats. With its blunt tail and stout body, the rosy boa makes a great snake pet and is very popular in pet trading thanks to its beautiful morphs or patterns and colors which is created through selective breeding.

In general, rosy boas have a salmon or rose color on their belly and dark orange spots. Its back is typically tannish, yellow or dark gray in color. This snake has 3 characteristic stripes which extend to the length of its body and usually in a black, brown, brownish red or oranges colors. Rosy boas have tiny eyes with vertical pupils because of their nocturnal nature.

Rosy Boa Size and Life Span

The size of rosy boa range from 10in. as hatchlings to around 4ft. in length when it became an adult. The largest recorded length is about 48 inches long, however, such behemoths are not that common, even in captivity, so you do not have to worry about taking care of such gigantic creatures.

In general, most rosy boas grow only on ranges of 24 to 36 inches long and can be perfectly kept on a 10 or 15-gallon terrarium. Also, females are usually longer than males.

In terms of lifespan, a properly cared rosy boa can live for a very long time and are expected to live for up to 30 years or more.

Rosy Boa Temperament and Handling

Rosy boas are the type of snakes perfect for handling and petting. However, there is some rosy boa that has a strong feeding response. If this is the case you can just gently nudge your boa with an inanimate object before you reach into its enclosure in order to pick it up. This method lets your snake know that it is not feeding time.

Rosy boa is generally easy going type of snake. They rarely attack and loves being handled. If you want to handle your rosy boa, allow it to roam around your hands in an un-restrained and grasping manner. Restraining it makes it feel uncomfortable and may try to escape your hands. Make sure that you support it with both hands so it does not feel any threat when handling.

Rosy Boa Enclosure

A simple caging or terrarium works really well in maintaining a rosy boa. Just make sure that your cage is 100 percent escape-proof. Rosy boas are notorious for nudging the cage with their snouts, and if they find even the tiniest gap, it will surely find a way to escape its enclosure.

There are various escape-proof cages available, and it is best to invest in one instead of taking a higher risk of your rosy boa escaping its terrarium and end up scaring people. Also, choose an enclosure that does not have abrasive tops like screening since rosy boas like to explore escape routes and may hurt its snout from scratching.

Top 10 Best Substrate for Rosy Boa

Most people go with newspaper and plain towels for their rosy boa’s substrate. However, these snakes love to burrow, particularly during the day, so you might want to consider to provide them only the best substrate that allows digging and burrowing.

Choosing the right substrate for rosy boa can be tricky since there are hundreds of products available in the market today, so I already did the hard part and provided you with the top 10 best substrates for rosy boa you can find.

1. Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate

Produced and made from only the highest quality coconut available in the world, the Reptichip Premium Coconut Substrate is the perfect substrate for any reptile such as geckos, colubrids, boas, and pythons.

This substrate allows your rosy boa to maintain their desired humidity level and does not accumulate dust so It very easy to clean. Each substrate block measures 12 x 12 x 6 inches when compressed and expands to 72 quarts when added with water.

2. Zoo Med Aspen Bedding

Being a reputable brand in pet supplies, Zoo Med offers high-quality snake bedding that is preferred by expert herpetoculturists across the world. The Zoo Med Aspen Bedding offers a naturalistic and safe bedding which allows lizards, snakes, and small animals to nest and form burrows as they would in their natural habitat.

This aspen bedding has a 191 percent absorbency rating and contains no toxic oils such as cedar or other similar wood shavings. This substrate is also odorless so it is safe for all types of snakes as well as tarantulas, turtles, tortoises, and birds.

It keeps your slithery friend’s terrarium dry and prevent any type of mildew buildup from waste and spilled water. Lastly, this substrate is large enough to be swallowed by your pet so you do not have to be cautious when it is feeding time.

3. Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Substrate

The optimal substrate for various terrarium setups that have amphibians, reptiles or invertebrates, this coconut fiber substrate from Reptile Prime can be used damp or dry and accommodates dessert dwelling or tropical species.

Made from premium coconut coir, this substrate has superior humidity retention capabilities and can naturally absorb and break down waste products and odor. With a high-quality coconut product and careful handling and manufacturing, this coconut substrate will take around 35 days or more before it forms fungal activity.

4. Zoo Med ReptiFresh Substrate

The ReptiFresh from reputable pet supply company, Zoo Med, is the very first odor eliminating substrate used in reptile terrariums. It is suitable for reptile pets such as sand and rosy boas, agamid lizards, geckos, desert species of skinks, Uromastyx Lizards, leopard geckos, and bearded dragons.

This substrate stimulates the natural burrowing and digging behavior of your pets. It is an all-natural green product that is easy to use and maintain. The ReptiFresh Substrate can last for up to twelve months before it needs any replacements.

5. Zilla Snake Litter

This snake litter substrate from Zilla uses laboratory grade aspen chips which are heat treated in order to provide an ultra-absorbent litter and bedding for your slithery companion and all reptilian pets.

This snake litter substrate also includes ground eucalyptus which adds fresh scents to your terrarium which is 100 percent natural and non-toxic to your pet. This is a pure, biodegradable substrate without any oils or resins that can harm your pet.

6. Exo Terra Reptile Bark

This rosy boa substrate from Exo Terra is not only decorative, but it also offers many functions in your terrarium. The Reptile Bark plays a crucial role in managing the climate and humidity of the terrarium.

Made from 100 percent natural fir bark, this substrate can readily absorb and release moisture, controlling the humidity levels of the terrarium. Moreover, it stimulates the natural burrowing and digging behavior or reptiles, plus it is easy to clean and maintain.

7. Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Substrate

A product made from coconut husks, the Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber Substrate is an ideal drainage layer for drainage, humidity and optimum plant growth in naturalistic terrariums.

Suitable for invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and other small animals, this substrate is very easy to clean and stimulates the burrowing and digging activities of your pets. Each Eco Earth Brick can make at least 7 to 8 liters of the substrate, enough for small to medium terrariums.

8. Zoo Med Forest Floor Substrate

Another great substrate from Zoo Med, the Forest Floor Substrate is made from natural cypress mulch and provides the terrarium a natural “forest floor” look in your pet’s enclosure. It also helps in retaining moisture and releases humidity, making it great for tropical species of tortoises, amphibians, and snakes.

It is an all-natural green product and comes with various sizes to accommodate any terrarium sizes. Compared to other substrates, the Zoo Med Forest Floor Substrate is soft and wallet-friendly. It is also very easy to clean and can last for such a long time.

9. Zilla Reptile Substrate Liners

This substrate is unlike other substrates in this list. Instead of tiny shredded pieces of plant-products, the substrate from Zilla comes in liners. This substrate is an easy and safe choice for a healthy and fresh terrarium.

Zilla terrarium Liners come in brown or green carpet which you can cut based on the size of your terrarium. It is made of a non-abrasive and absorbent material that will not irritate sensitive feet or scales of your reptiles. Moreover, this substrate liner is treated with biodegradable enzyme which helps reduce any odors.

It is also very easy to clean. You can simply rinse it with cold water then reuse it. Suitable for beginners, this substrate liner is a fuss-free product you should totally buy!

10. Galapagos Aspen Digs Shavings Substrate

This substrate from Galapagos is made from aspen shavings which are extremely absorbent, controls the humidity in your terrarium and stops odors. Made from Timber by-product, this substrate was thoroughly washed and sieved that there is almost no dust included.

It is suitable for rodents, lizards, and snakes that love to dig and burrow. This substrate is 100 percent safe and free of parasites, oils and harmful chemicals. It is fluffy and soft and is very much easy to clean and maintain.

Conclusion

Rosy boas make a wonderful pet! Because of their not-so-large size and attractive morphs, they are highly enjoyable to keep as pets. However, just like any captive creatures, you need to invest in essential accessories and items such as substrates in order to make sure that they are happy and healthy!