MADAGASCAR BOAS IN THE WILD! (Dumeril's Boas and Tree Boas - Are we keeping them correctly?)

[@surfpanther]

One of my most favorite things that you do is taking the temperature and humidity readings....so helpful! The sheer amount of unique reptiles on that island is just mind-boggling

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Isn't it? I could have done so many of these videos there but there is a lot more coming up!

[@BensonsBoas]

As a Dumeril’s boa owner, I was fascinated by the environmental readings you took. I was aware of the lower temperature requirements, but had no idea that the habitat humidity was quite that high! Really good information!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@livingoutsidethebubble]

Indeed! Most info suggests lower humidity for adults.

[@davidjager23]

I have a dumeril's boa and most of my stuff is similar, I don't keep the ambient humidity quite so high though because I used to but he didn't spend much time in open air either way. I have ONE hide and one of those pass-through log things(open on both ends), but he almost NEVER goes in there. What I did was I got a huge water dish and I mist enough to keep the coconut substrate humid UNDER, but I let the top dry out, because what I've noticed is that these guys are a lot more fossorial than people let on, mine likes to spend around 45% of his time burrowing underneath the substrate, 35% soaking in his water dish, 18% out in the open roaming around, 1.9% in the hides, and 0.1% above ground level(be has one big branch, that only goes about 8 inches above the substrate, and I've seen him on it exactly ONCE in the 9 months I've had him)

[@kellykim4515]

I have a Dumerils boa and absolutely love him, so gentle and stunningly beautiful

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

There are my favs!

[@sherrybrzeczka7966]

I was amazed at the docility of those beautiful snakes. Thank you for bringing us along!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I was too!

[@zoe547]

Maybe it's because there aren't as many large predators on madagascar? Obviously there's the fossa and some species of mongoose but in general not many things on that island that could/would eat these. Maybe it's the same thing that killed off the dodo and so many other species on isolated islands; island tameness

[@MrsHgLamp]

How sweet and polite Madagascar Boas are.❤️❤️❤️🐍🐍🐍

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

They really are!

[@garrydysart6709]

I keep n breed dumeril ground boas. Thanks for letting me see them in the wild. Mutch appreciated ❤

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

No problem 👍

[@the_fafologist]

All 3 of my dream snakes. I owned a rescued Dumeril's and he didnt do well and ended up passing away. Been saving up for a tree for quite some time and this video helped a ton. Need to make sure the setup is perfect before I get one.

[@nepaleseman1010]

For me the Madagascar boas are the top herp of interest for me in Madagascar. This video was was excellent and very informative thanks.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@xanopython9062]

Watching these videos brings such joy, showing me species I've never heard of. I am now OBSESSED with Madagascar tree boas

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

So great to hear that!

[@kimspurre1242]

I am enjoying being along for the ride, especially as a housebound and rather elderly, at age 68, woman. This series has been so fascinating I wish it would never end.

[@brucebrazaitis321]

Just a note from my experience. One of the behavior that was a little bit disturbing at first is when things got too warm they will go belly up! Apparently they have some major blood vessels that run along the belly so it is just a thermoregulating behavior The snake room in Miami was not cooled so summer time it easily got into the 90's. The female also learned how to slide the glass open to her cage. She was always found sitting on top of the rat cages watching them. This pair was sold as being pre-convention s0 they were imported around 1972. I have no idea how old or big they were when imported. They died of old age in the early 2000's to give an idea of lifespan, which most likely is at least 40 years,

[@heavenleigh3344]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with them! I sadly also experienced a over heated belly up 🥺

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks for the input Bruce!

[@kristametcalfe191]

My dum has NEVER pottied outside her enclosure. Not anywhere except outside in the yard. She is a perfect lady. It’s amazing. Only reptile I have that I can take on car rides, walks, hold, kids hold, do anything. She can be out hours and not potty except in her enclosure or outdoors. She is amazing and 7’! I love my Pandora!

[@andylydon8416]

These are my favorite series of ANY YT channel out there. You are doing an amazing service and amazing work! I want to get into these big time now, Thank you Dāv! You're awesome! Rattle On!

[@sayurikitamura7109]

Thank you so much 💓 I have a big sweet spot for madagaskar boas, for my first snake was a dumeril's too. It's almost a bit strange how nice they are. I used to think it's just my pet being nice, but they all seem to have a gentle dispositions

[@varanidguy]

Well, those are the temps I'm keeping my Dumeril's boas at. But my humidity doesn't go up and down as much. They really are incredible animals. My female is over 7 feet now, she's a big girl but so gentle. They're incredible animals. My male is about 5.5 feet-ish.

[@JumpsSoHard]

I love the are we keeping them correctly series. Thanks brother!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you're enjoying!

[@derp_dragons]

Absolutely love the landscape dumeril boas live in, what a beautiful place! 💚

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I agree!

[@rebeccafriend4854]

You should have millions of subscribers! So informative!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you!

[@CricketsMa]

What a thrill to have the opportunity to see these boas in the wild! 😍

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

It sure was!

[@Cookieguy97]

Absolutely amazing video and data, thank you. I've changed from ceramic heater to deep heat projector and halogen combo for my dumerils, it's nice to know that the night time air temp drop is actually close to the drop in temps in the wild. I had been struggling to find ground temps for Madagascar so again thank you

[@rickcroney1286]

Great video. Love the information. It has confirmed my previous research for our Dumeril's Boa. We have an 8×2×2' enclosure that is planted and naturalistic/bioactive. There's a couple of large shelves lined with slate tile and two sturdy logs for climbing and cover.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Nice!

[@drepop803]

I was always told dumerils were lower humidity. 40-60% is what was always said. The temperatures you have here are accurate to the research but humidity is way off compared to what you actually got. They're like every other south American, African and Asian boid. 70-80%. Why were they listed at lower humidity when they're supposed to be this high? However a video I did not expect and I'm so glad you made it. My next snake will be a dumerils which is years in the making. Can't wait for you to go to the burmese python homeland.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

We don't know everything and we are always gaining more knowledge

[@loispadgett6306]

I love the Dumaral boa. They are beautiful. Glad to learn more about there care. Thank you. GOD BLESS 🐍💖🐍💖🐍💖

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kristinmontague9084]

You can just see and hear the love, amazement and knowledge you have for these snakes..... beautiful place, thx for these videos, just amazing. If I was there I would be outside day and night....it would be a struggle to get me inside, lol. GORGEOUS!!!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Yup, that was us too. It was amazing!

[@LeBonesCreations]

My dearest friend got a Dumerils Boa about 4 years ago and I named her Cleopatra. I have only known her via photos and videos from her owner. She lives in OhIo and I am in Washington State. However she is such a sweetie and my friend sends me pics frequently. I always ask about her. My friend has 2 other snakes, both pythons….don’t ask what kind cause I will mess up the names. Lol. Thx for showing me about them in the wild. Cleo is such a great snake and when and if imcn ever get a snake i would love to have one like Cleo.

[@karenlee3198]

Beautiful ❤ so appreciate your doing these videos. Have learned so much about reptiles just through your videos. Though half the species I'd probably never see in person it's so fascinating to learn about the beautiful creatures all around this planet

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you! Really glad you liked it!

[@jericosha2842]

DUDE Madagascar is unbelievably beautiful to me! I want to go! Sanzinias are the species I want to keep and breed...but they are so expensive and can't be imported =/

[@mattm7798]

Dumeril's Boas are possibly the perfect first constrictor. They eat great, get to a manageable size, don't require much climbing space as they are ground boas, and super calm...unfortunately they have become kind of expensive.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I agree!

[@kitsune0rei]

Awareness has created changes in supply and demand. Good and bad. I don't know how difficult they are to breed in captivity, but a quick Google search said they have smaller than average litters for a boa.

[@cold.blooded.envisions]

I like your recommendations for the boa cage sizes and completely agree

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks!

[@thepain321]

The trips you’ve taken to the natural habitat of some snakes has been especially informative. I’ve been matching my temps for my Biaks to Biak Numfor for some years. Tracked ground temperature versus canopy temps. Different localities seem to have different behavior tendencies. It must be from the slightly different terrains they developed. Wish I could see more of them in their wild habitat.

[@2sneezy2weeze]

My local zoo has a Madagascar tree boa and two Dumeril's boas. They've been doing a lot of maintenance work on the reptile house recently and I haven't been able see them

[@BGPythons]

Brilliantly filmed, almost a tear there Dav. Absolutely love these. Also great advice on the enclosure sizes. Glad to hear the tree boas are thriving.

[@baleogunsondai614]

This is still my favorite series online Dav!!! Great Job!! Now let’s go find them Bloods and Short Tails. Take Adam so he can stop hating them.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I'm working on it!

[@maxon5824]

My madagascariensis literally spends ALL DAY EVERY DAY in a elevated kork bark, only moves at night to another ledge and just sits there… she has a lot of oder hiding options, but she really doesn’t care for the rest, and is never out during the day… but i love my beautiful girl😊🐍 Great video! I loved seeing their natural habitat!

[@wpsreptiles]

What an epic trip! Keep all these videos coming! And congrats on finding that dumerils!!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks Billy! See you this weekend!

[@wpsreptiles]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures absolutely!!!

[@goldencoastexotics181]

Nice video Dave. Only slightly jealous that you made it to Mad before I did!😂

[@ChronicCreature95]

Thank you Dav! I am a Dumerils owner as well and have struggled with shedding due to the lower humidity that is suggested to keep them at. I was afraid of how high to spike it to not cause URIs. This video gives me confidence to give my big guy more humidity without the worry!

[@HellyeahRook]

I added Dumeril's to my list after this video, and today I got a beautiful tiny Dumeril's that is showing a lot of orange in her pattern. I am so excited! And I am happy to have her in an enclosure next to my BCI to show the difference!! such wonderful snakes.

[@sianhall329]

I would always recommend larger enclosures for any snake, and for Dumeril's in particular I think more height is preferred. My viv is 4ft high and my girl will happily slither up to the highest shelf if the mood takes her. More height means better body tone for your snake as they have more room, and more room means you can maximize the amount of enrichmdnt in the enclosure!

[@lukemorgan8447]

Yes, the Madagascar tree boa. You can't go to Madagascar without seeing a Sanzinian Madagascar tree boa. Very cool Dav.

[@lukemorgan8447]

Handling an aboreal snake you become the tree lol. Very cool.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Right? I feared we might miss seeing them but they are really common actually

[@billythekid6509]

My male dume is in a big enclosure and we made him a shelf with a gap so he can squeeze into and 90% of the time he's at the very top of the enclosure wedged up under his shelf

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Thanks for another amazing video with so much important information. I live the Dumeril's boas.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

My pleasure!

[@saxonharrar4463]

Hey dāv! Thanks so much for your research and work! I just got my first snake and it’s a Dumerils! I rewatched this video over and over and been comparing my temps ambient, basking, and cool spots and got it aligned exactly to your specs here. Thanks for the info, thankful for your channel and have a great day!

[@ericarichardson2983]

I know you focus on danger noodles, but I’d love to see horsefield tortoises (or really any of the smaller tortoise species) in the wild🖤 There’s so much conflicting information on captive husbandry but not much documentation on wild behavior and diets

[@AdventureswithLandon]

Great video, love how docile those reptiles are. Those boas have beautiful color patterns too.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you very much!

[@stevenhall8964]

The Tree Boas are so docile, they remind me of the Rubber Boas we have here in the Northwest United States and I think they range up into southwest Canada 🇨🇦 also!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

They kind of have the same disposition

[@HellyeahRook]

Oh wow, you found such beautiful snakes. I really like the tree boas. Thank you for these videos, your rainbow boa one helped me, as well as your uromastyx one.

[@Snake_Therapy]

Wow, I should have watched this long ago- so many care sheets are WRONG about dumerils! I’m about to change things up for my boy, and I’m getting a sanzinia soon so this all has been extremely helpful. I so so appreciate your approach of finding out what the animals need in this way. Thank you!

[@gabmatth]

This has become one of my favorite channels.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you!

[@rebeccafriend4854]

Beautiful! Awesome trip!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks!

[@caughtafaygo]

I have a big boy dumerils and his poops arnt that much worse than any other of my boas ( BI's). Awesome vid and thank you so much for this! the sanzinia are on my list for sure! i keep my dumerils on a eco earth coco mix and 90 hot spot with cool side around 70 he hangs out in his warm hide which registers around 89 and goes to his cool side every now and then. Hes near a window so the sun can come into his enclosure in the late morning. Hes 6 yrs old and doing great. Keep them hydrated. My dumerils has issue with hydration but nothing that warrants anything other than an occasional soak. Much love everyone

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Nice!

[@87PontiacGP]

I fell in love with Dumeril's boas after keeping one for a few years, best snake I have had hands down. Sadly do not have her anymore, but I wish I still did.. Next snake will probably be another Dumeril's since they are easier to find, but I'd love to find a Madagascar ground boa eventually as well. You hardly see them at all anywhere. Also, seems like all the Madagascar species are so calm and chill for being wild animals. I might have to look into these tree boas as well. Just really like the Madagascar species. Great video!

[@CindyL1981]

Thank you for making this video! I’ve been raising sanzinia for the last 12 years or so. Absolutely beautiful docile beasts!!

[@jwilcox]

Dang it Dāv!! Now I need another boa species. 😂

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I'm in that same boat!

[@jwilcox]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures Looks like unobtanium right now too. 🙄

[@nathansells3772]

My Dumerils spends just about all of her time buried in the substrate and leaf litter I have for her, with her head poking out waiting for food. I know they can thrive in other conditions with less of a substrate layer, but from what I've seen with the individual I keep, burrowing seems to be a huge part of their natural behavior

[@derp_dragons]

Can definitely second that for northerns, too!

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Agreed!

[@pythonalley8882]

Those boas look like they would make great pets if that’s how they are straight out of the wild.

[@ReptilesandResearch]

They need big enclosures not racks 👏 Well done Dav Kaufman

[@mx.murphy]

I really hope there's going to be a Day Gecko in the Wild video coming too! They're getting to be so popular in the hobby now that it'd be helpful to have.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I tried but sadly not this time

[@MaliciousMollusc]

YES!! I've been waiting for this for sooo long!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@VeronicaLeigh79]

I love that these animals are just so docile that you can pick them up an love them. The snakes I've found in Ohio are definitely not like that.

[@justdoinit2378]

😂😂😂😂

[@michaelsinanan88]

Congrats and finding the dumerils boa. I know exactly how you must feel finding one in the wild

[@kristametcalfe191]

This makes me want to add more big rocks to my Dums enclosure! Thank you!

[@WVReptileGuy]

Great video man. It was great meeting you at tinley back in 2021. I'm hoping snake discovery has a dumeril up for adoption that I'll be able to take in.

[@chasebrunner]

I Breed Dumeril Boas Great Video It Is So Cool How You Show The Temperature And Humidity I Got To Raise My Humidity I Keep Humidifier Right Beside My Tanks Run It All Tge Time Custom Built One For Growing Mushrooms Pumps Humidity

[@psychopathicmark8114]

I keep my dumerils in a combination of fine coco fiber (eco earth) and a chunky coco husk, and she likes to burrow down and sprawl out across the enclosure underneath the substrate. I also keep her at 65 to 70 percent humidity with a hot spot of 88-90 degrees and a cool side of mid to low 70s. (She likes the cool side)

[@yannickmercier2427]

Thank's Dav....I did learn a lot today. Thank's for Sharing.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad to hear that

[@sallyfisher982]

Thanks for the great educational video.

[@LanceKirkman]

Simply beatiful, thank you Dav!!! #RattleOn

[@reptilez13]

It's worth noting a gravid boa is gonna want higher basking temps, so upper 80s/low 90s may make more sense for a hot ambient side, with a low 80s cool side or something. Similar to New World, "true" boas. (Re: that Sanzinia on the road side basking above 90)

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

good tip!

[@cold-blooded7180]

Those fauna spoters come in handy

[@MandMREPTILS]

This video was everything I was hopeing for maybe besides the lack of plant species identification. I'm glad we have alot of the husbandry right for dumerils boas but I think alot of us are infact lacking the night time drops/humidity spikes ill definitely be working on encourperating this in my dumes enclosure. Thank you so much dav for your contributions to herptaculture

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

my pleasure!

[@marcosavila1204]

I don't own any Dumeril's Boas or Madagascar Boas but I own 2 Corn Snakes and they are very rewarding Snakes to own

[@lizdyson3627]

Wonderful video Dav.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eidontkehr4081]

i can see why the sanzinia is called hundskopfboa (dogs head boa) in german. beautiful and i want one.

[@Greg41982]

Holy Cow! Those tree boas!

[@china_sickness7005]

I was originally set on getting a dumerils boa as my first boa until I heard about how bad their poop smells. I have now decided to just go for a regular boa constrictor. I’m eventually wanting to have a 7 to 8 foot snake, and you can’t really go wrong with a boa constrictor

[@caitwn8548]

For what it's worth, I have two Dumerils and have never noticed any strong odor even when cleaning fresh poop. I have friends who don't care for snakes and who would mention it if they noticed anything and they also have told me they've never noticed any odor.

[@BeneathTheGold]

I love sanzinia. Theyr so cool. I was on the verge of getting a green sanzinia but then I got some unexpected bad news from my dr’s and my whole world collapsed and I had to change my plans.

[@redheadedbint]

This was wonderful ❤

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@steveburlingame1935]

This was awesome you should do one on redtail ratsnakes i had a pair i would like to compare them in the wild and how i can take care of them in the hobbie i failed 1

[@lennoxbat5210]

Wow i love ur vids

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thank you!

[@samuelneuin1988]

Congrats on finding the boas.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks 👍

[@troyclements4546]

You said they remind you of carpet pythons, which I have to agree. Mostly on the ground, but with potential to ascend a tree when necessary, sounds just like a morelia from Australia. Good observation.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Right?

[@troyclements4546]

Absolutely. It is also useful that you collect temp/humidity data as well. I'm a fan of the leaf tailed geckos, but have always been more a snake keeper. Thanks for your informative accounts of these creatures in their native habitats.

[@bryonflaherty5957]

So I would assume that a uvb bulb would be very important for Madagascar tree boas since you found a bunch of them basking

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Yes, UVB is beneficial to every reptile, nocturnal or not.

[@alexsnake9795]

Great stuff MAN. as always . are you planning to do similar for corallus caninus?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I'd love to make that video someday

[@loriw2661]

I have 2 Ball Pythons and they’re in 4x2x2 PVC enclosures. I’d love to have them in larger ones but it’s as good as I can do for now. I absolutely LOVE your videos and the knowledge that comes from them. Thank you!! #RattleOn 🐍❤️🐍

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks!

[@AgeOrmstad]

Realy nice video 😎👌

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Thanks!

[@cara9648]

I wouldn't want to let go of a warm, secure "tree branch" either. 😂

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Lol!

[@GetmoneyMaine]

So they prefer very hot weather like ball pythons ? Do you think they capable if eating large adult eguanas and sence you say it eats birds is it a certain type will it eat a Maccaw parrot which are large ? And are they eating possums , raccons,beavers,skunks,jack rabbits, hares, weasels, chipmonks , minks ? And glad you mention them with carpet Python's but which one grows larger? And would you consider tree boas same care setup as emerald tree boas?

[@Wreckhavoc0225]

Those tree boas look so much like a carpet python

[@chasebrunner]

I am still trying to get mine to breed it is so hard

[@redneck_ridge_reptiles]

The sanzinia remind me of carpet pythons mixed with a emerald tree boa but with a teddy bear disposition imo super awesome snakes as are all feel like a broke record in this hobby "this is my favorite" on every snake and reptile I talk about lol

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

That's true

[@corathus]

Can you do a cocohusk/aspen mix for substrate? You mentioned smell and humidity

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

you can

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

For me my dream snake to see in the wild is a western (plains)hognose. I live on the west coast so to me they might as well be in another country, they are so far away. I go to Tennessee for a Wedding soon so hopefully I'll find an eastern hognose. That's as close as I'll get for now. Seeing how expensive it's going to be to go there. It will be awhile before I get a chance to go search for a plains hognose. I have 7 plains hognose in my house. Which is super awesome but not the same as seeing them in the wild.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I hope you find one some day soon

[@BlindSquirrelCarpentryy]

Can one house a tree and a ground boa together? Also, do you know where I can get a humidity reader that connects to my phone?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I don't know of the top of my head but in a big enough enclosure they might be able to. They are found in the same habitat in Madagascar

[@ElLenadorLA]

What about all those areas in the southwest that don’t get anywhere near those humidity levels? Someone keeping one in a rack makes my soul hurt 😬

[@natking1u1z99]

So the tree boa only grows about 3.28ft long? That’s pretty small/short for a boa.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

wish it was mid 20 celsius. freaking done with the cold😅

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Me too!

[@JK-vy8vh]

What you think about tempatures regarding Argentine boas? In the wild they live in chilly conditions but I feel like I should just set her up like my Colombian boa? (26c-31c) I only have those 2 snakes, both large females so I gave them really nice setups.

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

I'll make it there soon to check into that

[@JK-vy8vh]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures I’ve been letting temperatures fall a degree every night, they’re more laid back at night now. Have fun handling a wild argentine. Mine is mean af compared to my Colombian love them both though.

[@merlinambrosius4398]

Excellent. Who is using Fahrenheit?

[@davkaufmansreptileadventures]

Sadly Americans are trapped with it

[@merlinambrosius4398]

@@davkaufmansreptileadventures ah. I see.