How Much Does a Boa Constrictor Cost? (2024 Price Guide)

Boa Constrictors are relatively large snakes. Therefore, you can expect them to cost more than other snakes. Boa Constrictors cost more to breed and house, which drives up the price of each individual snake. Plus, you have to buy a big enough habitat for your snake, as well as enough food and other supplies. All of this can add up to quite a bit of cash.

Therefore, it’s vital to budget properly for your boa constructor. Different areas will have different supply costs. You can also decide to go all-out for your snake and buy lots of extras or stick to budget options. On average for a normal boa constrictor, you’ll pay between $50 and $150 from a breeder.

No matter what you decide, we’ve discussed everything you need to know about budgeting for your snake below.

Bringing Home a New Boa Constrictor: One-Time Costs

There are many costs that you’ll need to pay upfront for your snake. Often, these purchases are the most expensive. However, they don’t need to be done all that often, so you only have to save up for them once. For instance, the snake and housing fit into this category.

Your biggest expense will probably be the terrarium and everything that goes into it. However, you also have to consider the price of the snake, which can be high in some cases.

Free

You may be able to find a boa constrictor for free in rare cases. Usually, these snakes aren’t at animal shelters, and rescues are few and far between. However, individuals may purchase a boa constrictor, only to find out that the snake isn’t for them. These owners may decide to give their snake away for free.

Sometimes, you can also get free gear for your snake when you adopt it in this way. After all, the previous owner no longer needs all the snake stuff, so giving it to you often just makes sense.

Adoption

• $25–$75

Adoption doesn’t happen all that often for snakes like boa constrictors. While local animal shelters don’t usually take them, there are several rescues that may occasionally have snakes. You can adopt an adult snake from these rescues at a lower price than purchasing from a breeder.

However, these agencies often have very strict adoption standards. Many require a certain size tank, substrate, and other gear. Luckily, this is usually what you need for your snake anyway. Therefore, you usually won’t spend any more money than when adopting one from a breeder.

Breeder

• $50–$150

For a normal boa constrictor, you’ll pay between $50 and $150 per snake from a breeder. Often, breeders will also sell snakes with special coloration or other features. These snakes usually cost more—up to thousands of dollars for some variants. Boa constrictors can come in a large variety of colors and patterns, so there are many options out there.

Breeders are usually the most expensive option, as they often care for and take pride in their snakes. Of course, be sure to choose the breeder carefully. Many low-quality breeders only looking to make a quick buck do exist and may leave you with an unhealthy snake.

Initial Setup and Supplies

• $543—$785

Boa constrictors need a lot of supplies to thrive. Therefore, you’re going to spend a lot of money upfront. You need the habitat set up before your snake shows up, as your boa constrictor won’t live long without the proper temperature, humidity, and environment.

Luckily, you won’t have to purchase many of these items again. Your snake should stay in the same enclosure for the most part, and this piece of equipment is the most expensive. When possible, don’t skimp on these long-term items, as this may simply cost you more in the long run.

List of Boa Constrictor Supplies and Costs

How Much Does a Boa Constrictor Cost Per Month?

• $35–$360 per month

Boa constrictors will need regular care throughout their life. Most of your expenses will come from vet care, food, and cleaning. Many of these ongoing costs are pretty cheap each time you make a purchase, but they add up quickly. Vet bills are the only fee that doesn’t fit into this category, as they seem to happen all at once.

Therefore, you’ll need to plan on continually purchasing things for your boa constrictor. While most of your costs will be upfront, you’ll be paying a decent amount each month, too.

Health Care

• $0–$200 per month

Sadly, finding health care for snakes is difficult. These animals fit into the exotic category, and most vets don’t have training in treating them. You should locate an exotic vet in your area when you first adopt your snake, as it helps to have their number if something serious happens.

Most of the time, you’ll only need to take your snake to the vet when they are sick. Therefore, for many months, you’ll be paying absolutely nothing in vet bills. When you do take your boa constrictor to the vet, you probably won’t be paying that much. There are few medications and fancy treatments for snakes, after all. Plus, when they do need treatment, their small size keeps things relatively inexpensive.

Food

• $10–$60 per month

Your snake will need to eat a few times a month at the very least. Younger snakes need to eat more often. Snakes under a year typically need feeding every 5–7 days, while juvenile snakes need feeding every 5–10 days. Adult snakes only need to be fed every 10 days.

However, this doesn’t mean that it’s cheaper to feed an adult snake. Often, adult snakes need bigger prey items, which cost more. Some may even need whole rabbits, which can cost $15 apiece. On the other hand, babies often do fine on smaller mice, which only cost a few dollars.

Pet Insurance

• $10–$20 per month

Very few companies offer coverage on snakes. Most of the time, pet insurance only covers cats and dogs. Even when other pets are covered, it usually only extends to birds and not reptiles. Nationwide Pet Insurance remains one of the few that offers insurance for exotic pets. However, they also happen to be one of the most expensive pet insurance companies.

As you’d probably guess, many snake lovers don’t have pet insurance. The cost at the vet is often minimum for these snakes, and many owners don’t have trouble covering the costs. However, if you decide to pay for this insurance, you’ll probably end up paying quite a bit.

Environmental Maintenance

• $15–$35 per month

Furthermore, you’ll also have to pay for new substrate and cleaning supplies for your boa constrictor’s enclosure. Just like any animal, your boa constrictor needs a clean environment to thrive. You’ll need to purchase new substrate each month. Luckily, this only costs between $10 to $30 a bag. One bag is plenty for one month, and you may even be able to get through multiple months with a single bag.

You may also want to purchase snake-safe cleaners for the inside of the cage. However, this isn’t always necessary. Often, you can get away without them. If you do decide to purchase them, one bottle often lasts for several months, but you will have to purchase a new bottle eventually.

You’ll also need to purchase new heating bulbs and UVB bulbs for your snake. The heating bulbs are pretty obvious when they run out. However, the UVB bulbs tend to weaken over time, though this weakening is impossible for us to see. Therefore, you probably want to get on a UVB bulb-changing schedule.

Entertainment

• $0–$45 per month

Boa constrictors do require some regular enrichment—just like every other species out there. Sticks, caves, and similar structures provide your snake with something to do and promote exercise. In our one-time-cost section, we did include the purchase of several climbing sticks and caves. These should get you through quite a few months with your snake.

However, at some point, it will probably do your snake some good to switch things up a bit. You may want to purchase some new sticks and then regularly change the snake’s enclosure. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this. Having just a few extras of everything to shake things up every now and then can be extremely helpful.

Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Boa Constrictor

• $35–$360 per month

Your monthly costs can fluctuate quite a bit. Some months, you may only need to purchase food and substrate for your snake. In other months, you may have to purchase more enrichment décor and pay expensive vet bills. For this reason, you may want to put back some money on the cheaper months to help cover the costs for more expensive months. $100 a month is typically plenty for most snakes unless you’re purchasing lots of enrichment items or have an expensive pet insurance plan.

Much of a snake’s cost is upfront. The monthly cost is far cheaper than most animals.

Additional Costs to Factor In

There is always the chance that items you purchase for long-term use will break eventually. Your snake’s whole enclosure probably won’t break until many years of use. You may decide at some point that the terrarium is just too dirty or no longer suitable for your snake. Your snake’s water bowl may become old and dingy, and climbing sticks may eventually fall apart.

Therefore, you will probably have to purchase new items eventually, though this probably won’t happen for a long time.

You may also need to consider travel costs for vet visits. If your closest exotic vet is pretty far away, you may have to travel quite a bit. Of course, you also have to include taking off of work on top of the gas and other travel fees you may have to pay.

Owning a Boa Constrictor on a Budget

It is possible to own a boa constrictor on a budget. These animals aren’t all that expensive, to begin with. Their startup costs can be a bit high, as boa constrictors can cost more than other reptiles and require a large enclosure. However, they’re much cheaper than owning a cat or a dog, for instance. If you purchase an unusually colored boa constrictor, you will pay even more upfront. Therefore, for those on a budget, we recommend settling with your average boa constrictor.

After startup costs, your most expensive (and regular) categories will be food and substrate. You shouldn’t go as cheap as possible for these categories, as they’re both vital to the health of your snake. However, there are some ways you can find food and substrate for cheaper.

Saving Money on Boa Constrictor Care

Purchasing in bulk is the easiest way to save on anything your boa constrictor might need. For instance, you can often purchase frozen mice in advance for cheaper than purchasing mice individually. Furthermore, substrate can be purchased in bulk in a similar way.

The biggest obstacle to purchasing in bulk is storage space. You have to keep frozen mice frozen until you’re ready to feed them to your snake. Many people don’t want dead, frozen mice hanging out next to their ice cream, and most people don’t have an extra fridge. Even if everyone in your house is fine with you utilizing the freezer, the frozen mice can take up quite a bit of room.

Conclusion

Boa constrictors cost far more upfront than they do monthly. You’ll have to purchase a lot of expensive items before or right after you get your snake, such as an enclosure, heating lamp, and other items. All of this can become extremely expensive, averaging around $650.

However, after you make all those purchases, you may be looking at only $20 a month for maintenance. Snakes don’t require very much after their enclosure is set up correctly.

• Related Read: How Much Does a Corn Snake Cost?

---

Featured Image Credit: Egoreichenkov Evgenii, Shutterstock