![]() ![]() Most of these subspecies are distinguished largely by their range rather than appearance, but regional (subspecific) variation in form, size, and coloration does occur. ![]() nebulosa (Dominican boa, recently elevated to full species), and B. Currently acknowledged subspecies include: B. At least 9 subspecies are currently recognized by some authorities, although many of these are poorly defined and future research will undoubtedly modify this taxonomy. However, there are many variations on appearance. Third, this dark triangle is continued behind the eye, where it slants downward towards the jaw. Second, there is a dark triangle between the snout and the eye. First is a line that runs dorsally from the snout to the back of the head. The head of a boa constrictor has 3 distinctive stripes. They may have smaller dark spots over the entire body. Along the sides, there are rhomboid, dark marks. These saddles become more colorful and prominent towards the tail, often becoming reddish brown with either black or cream edging. Dorsally the background color is cream or brown that is marked with dark "saddle-shaped" bands. Boa constrictor coloration and pattern are distinctive. However, the tails of males may be proportionally longer than those of females because of the space taken up by the hemipenes. Within populations, females are usually larger than males. Individuals are generally between 2 and 3 meters in length, although island forms are commonly below 2 meters. In reality, boa constrictors are fairly modest-sized boids and are dwarfed by the other competitors for this title. Range elevation 0 to 1,000 m 0.00 to ftīoa constrictor has long been famous as one of the largest species of snake.They also move well on the ground and can be found occupying the burrows of medium-sized mammals. Boa constrictors are commonly seen in or along streams and rivers in appropriate habitats.īoa constrictors are semi-arboreal, although juveniles tend to be more arboreal than adults. Boa constrictors are also common near human settlements and often found in agricultural areas. However, they are also found in woodlands, grasslands, dry tropical forest, thorn scrub, and semi-desert. Primary habitat is rainforest clearings or edges. ( Chiaraviglio, et al., 2003 Mattison, 2007 O'Shea, 2007 Stafford, 1986)īoa constrictors occupy a variety of habitats. Some islands off the coast of Belize and Honduras are also inhabited by this species. Islands included in the boa constrictor range are: the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, Tobago, Dominica, and St. Boa constrictors are also found on numerous islands off the Pacific coast and in the Caribbean. On the west side of the mountains, the range extends into Peru. constrictor is found as far south as northern Argentina. In South America the range splits along the Andes mountains. Boa constrictors range from northern Mexico south through Central and South America. Hunted for their fine, ornate skin and for sale in the exotic pet trade, some boa constrictors have protected status in their range.Boa constrictor is an exclusively New World species which has the largest distribution of all neotropical boas. ![]() The largest boa constrictor ever found measured 18 feet. Boas are about 2 feet long when they are born and grow continually throughout their 25 to 30-year lifespan. Reproduction and Conservationįemale boas incubate eggs inside their bodies and give birth up to 60 live babies. Their jaws can stretch wide to swallow large prey whole. Boas will eat almost anything they can catch, including birds, monkeys, and wild pigs. Their jaws are lined with small, hooked teeth for grabbing and holding prey while they wrap their muscular bodies around their victim, squeezing until it suffocates. Significantly smaller than anacondas, boas can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh more than 100 pounds. Like their anaconda cousins, they are excellent swimmers, but prefer to stay on dry land, living primarily in hollow logs and abandoned mammal burrows. Behaviorīoas are nonvenomous constrictors found in tropical Central and South America. ![]() Depending on the habitat they are trying to blend into, their bodies can be tan, green, red, or yellow, and display cryptic patterns of jagged lines, ovals, diamonds, and circles. Boa constrictors wear some of the most distinctive markings of all reptiles. ![]()
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