Harmless · Popular pet · Native to South America

Brazilian rainbow boa

Epicrates cenchria

Also called rainbow boa
Data updated October 2026

Brazilian rainbow boa coiled on a branch, its orange-red body with dark rings shining with a rainbow sheen
Fig. 1 — Adult with the iridescent sheen that gives rainbow boas their name.
Close view of a Brazilian rainbow boa's head showing three dark stripes on top
Fig. 2 — Three dark stripes run along the top of the head.

At a glance

A medium-sized, orange-red boa of the Amazon basin whose smooth scales scatter light into a rainbow shimmer. It hunts at night on the ground, in trees and in water, and gives birth to live young. In captivity it needs warm, very humid conditions.

01

Identification

Brazilian rainbow boas are orange, red-brown or reddish tan with dark rings running down the back. The back is darker than the pale belly. The scales split light like a prism, so in sunlight or bright light the snake shimmers with blue, green and violet. Colors and markings vary a lot between individuals.

  1. 01Rainbow sheen. Iridescent scales that flash colors under light.
  2. 02Three head stripes. Three parallel dark stripes run along the top of the head.
  3. 03Rings on the back. Dark rings running the length of an orange to red-brown body.

Commonly confused with

Both are heavier-bodied boas with saddle-like markings rather than rings, and neither has the strong rainbow sheen.

02

Size

01 ft2 ft3 ft4 ft5 ft6 ft Typical adult · about 5 ft (1.5 m)

Adults usually measure 4 to 6.5 feet (1.2–2 m), and some sources report animals up to about 7 feet. Five to six feet is typical for a grown Brazilian rainbow boa.

03

Range & habitat

Brazilian rainbow boa moving through damp leaf litter on a rainforest floor
Fig. 3 — Humid lowland forest, often near water, is typical habitat.

The Brazilian rainbow boa lives in the Amazon basin and the Guiana Shield of northern South America. It is mainly a snake of humid tropical forest, often found in or near streams, swamps and other water, but it also uses forest clearings, rocky areas and open savanna. It moves easily on the ground, in trees and in water.

04

Diet & predators

Rainbow boas are nocturnal constrictors. They hunt on the forest floor, in trees and along the water’s edge, catching prey with their teeth and killing it by constriction. Rodents and birds are the main foods, with lizards and aquatic animals also taken.

Feeds on

  • Rats, mice and other rodents
  • Birds
  • Lizards
  • Aquatic animals

Preyed on by

  • Poorly documented in the wild
  • Likely birds of prey and wild cats
  • People, through habitat loss and collection
Brown rat on a forest floor
Prey — rodents.
Small songbird perched on a branch
Prey — birds.

05

Behavior & seasons

Brazilian rainbow boas are mostly active at night and rest during the day. They are good climbers and swimmers and often stay close to water. Living in the tropics, they are active year-round. Adults shed their whole skin in one piece, about once or twice a year.

Adults are usually fairly calm, while young snakes tend to be nervous and quick to nip. Each snake’s scale pattern is unique, and the darker back over a light belly helps it blend in.

06

Reproduction

Like other boas, the Brazilian rainbow boa gives birth to live young. The eggs develop and hatch inside the mother, and she delivers fully formed babies. Litters range widely, from as few as 2 to as many as 35 young. The newborns are independent from birth.

07

Conservation

The species is rated Least Concern and remains widespread in the Amazon. Habitat loss and illegal collection for the pet trade are the main threats and could push it toward threatened status in the future. It is not a US species and has no US Endangered Species Act listing.

08

In captivity

Brazilian rainbow boas are popular for their color, but they need more humidity than many pet snakes and are better suited to keepers with some experience. Keep one snake per enclosure. A minimum of about 6 × 3 × 3 feet (1.8 × 0.9 × 0.9 m) is recommended for an adult, with branches for climbing, several hides and a water bowl large enough to soak in. A deep layer, about 4 inches, of moisture-holding soil-based substrate topped with leaf litter helps hold humidity.

  • Heat and light. A basking surface around 86–90°F, a daytime air temperature of about 78–84°F and nights near 72–75°F. Low-level UVB for about 12 hours a day is recommended.
  • Humidity. High: about 70% by day rising close to 100% at night, and higher still for snakes under a year old.
  • Food. Whole prey, preferably frozen-thawed: rodents and occasional birds such as chicks or quail. Juveniles eat more often than adults.
  • Temperament. Babies can be nippy but most settle into calm adults with regular, gentle handling.

See a reptile vet if your rainbow boa has trouble shedding, stops eating for a long time, wheezes or shows mouth or skin sores. More pet care guides

Keep reading

Sources

Data updated October 2026 · How we build these pages