amarali - Stull, 1932) - Found in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.Ĭommon northern boa (B. constrictor - Linnaeus, 1758) - Found in South America.Īmaral's boa (B. īut since most of them have very little differences and future studies will probably redefine many of these subspecies. These are the subspecies currently considered valid by most taxonomists and herpetologists. Over time several other subspecies have been described by scientists but are no longer considered to be valid subspecies. Using their heat-sensitive organs, very similar to those of venomous pit vipers, to locate suitable warm-blooded prey at night. The species has mainly nocturnal hunting habits. They are both terrestrial and arboreal animals, especially the smaller specimens, they are also known to be excellent swimmers, but for the most part stay on dry land, living usually in hollow logs and abandoned burrows. They generally have a brown, gray or cream base color, with a pattern of brown or reddish brown markings on their body. Despite being slow by nature, the species flees when they feel threatened and, when caught out or cornered, it will release all the air in the lungs, causing a characteristic whistle, in an attempt to ward off intruders.īut will strike when perceiving a threat, their bite although painful, especially from a large specimen, is rarely dangerous to humans.ĭepending mostly on the surrounding environment a boa constrictor can vary greatly in color, their coloring is in fact used very effectively as camouflage. The boa constrictor is extremely peaceful and elusive, it will always avoid contact with large animals, humans included.
The boa constrictor may live up to 25 years and weigh somewhere between 35 and 45 kg, the females are generally significantly longer than males and have a bigger girth. In fact the boa constrictor rarely exceeds 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in length, and most specimens average a maximum of 3 m (10 ft), although on occasion may appear larger snakes at around 4 m (13 ft), that are probably old animals that live in areas with an abundance of food. Like those that are part of popular culture like Pythons and Anacondas, the world's biggest snakes.
Every time the victim breathes, the snake tightens the loops, until the animal will eventually suffocate and die.ĭespite the countless stories about large boa constrictor snakes, the truth is that the species is far from having very large specimens.
The various sub-species of boas live in deserts, wet tropical forests, savannas, and on cultivated fields, ranging from sea level to a moderate elevation.Īfter the boa constrictor ambush attack is carried out and the prey secured, the snake wraps is body around the prey, and begins to slowly strangle the animal. The boa constrictor inhabits Central and South America from northern Mexico to Argentina, but is more frequent in dense forests of Costa Rica and throughout the Amazon rain-forest's, although they are also found in some Caribbean islands. There are currently 10 subspecies of Boa constrictor, however many of those are very similar and with further research will probably be redefined as some of the subspecies appear to be based more on location rather than biological differences. In a rare occurrence this is an animal that has the same common English name and scientific binomial name, the boa constrictor. There are several species of boas, but the most common is the boa constrictor, these snakes owe its name to the way its victims are killed, by constriction, just like most non-venomous snakes.
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