Boas In Captivity

BOAS IN CAPTIVITY

By Vincent P. Russo

There have been many books written over the years detailing the general husbandry and breeding of boas. Some have been excellent, some have fallen short, but all have provided at least some insight into the needs of these animals in captivity.

In his new book, Boas in Captivity, Vincent Russo recaps much of what we already know about boa husbandry. However, he goes a step further by sharing his personal techniques and the theories behind them. Russo has spent over 20 years studying these animals both in captivity and in the wild, giving him a unique and thorough understanding of their behavior. It is a treat to learn the secrets from such a seasoned pro.

As mentioned above, this book has no shortage of information pertaining to general care and maintenance. The guidelines provided are technically sound and written in such a way that both beginners and experienced herpers can comprehend. All aspects of husbandry are covered, including housing, heating, lighting, feeding, and a chapter on potential diseases and disorders.

The chapter on taxonomy is especially interesting. Species classification is a subject rarely given much space in care books. However, in this case, the taxonomy of the genus Boa is discussed in detail.

Additionally there is a very useful section outlining all known subspecies of Boa constrictor complete

with photos, scale counts, and locality information on the holotype specimens.

Two other chapters are of special interest. The breeding information given in this book is solid and presented in a no-nonsense manner. In addition to the time tested methods, the author provides tidbits of information regarding his own techniques that only add to the credibility of this book.

In addition to the breeding section, the closely related chapter discussing genetics and color/pattern morphs is also quite well done. Photos are provided as is information on the specific genetic components required to produce a given phenotype.

Overall, this is a solid starting point for anyone interested in keeping boas, especially those considering breeding them. As with all of the books in the Professional Breeders Series, the production quality of this text is high and easy to read.

Paperback. 108 pages. Fully illustrated with color photos. Only $8.99. Copies are in stock and ready to ship at www.LLLReptile.com.