These are naturally hypomelanistic, which means that they have reduced melanin, thus are more lightly colored, although they retain the distinctive darker tail that is characteristic of most members of this species. One population is found on the Cayos Cochinos (or the Hog Islands) off the northern coast of Honduras. Notably, the species is one of only two in snakes to have a confirmed XY sex chromosome system. They are, however, usually just as colorful as their counterparts and, like the larger boas, can be bred into a variety of different colors, given the right conditions to breed. Īlthough Boa imperator exhibits almost identical patterns to Boa constrictor, this species often has a darker tail, usually dark brown or very dark red. Lifespan in the wild is around 20–30 years, but 40 can be exceeded in captivity. They usually weigh around 6 kg (13 lb), although females are significantly larger than males. As one of the smaller Boa species, they average between 1.3 m (4.2 ft.) and 2.5 m (8.2 ft.) in length when fully grown, but have been known to reach 3.7 m (12 ft.). As a result, the appearance of this snake varies greatly depending on the specific locality. It is commonly called the Central American boa, northern boa, common boa, common northern boa and Colombian boa.ĭescription A specimen from the Cayos Cochinosīoa imperator is a wide-ranging species, living in both Central America and the northern parts of South America. Boa imperator is part of the family Boidae and is found in Mexico, Central America and South America west of the Andes Mountains (primarily in Colombia). isthmica Garman, 1884īoa imperator (or Boa constrictor imperator (in common usage)) is a large, heavy-bodied, nonvenomous species of snake in the genus Boa that is commonly kept in captivity.
#RED TAIL BOA SKIN#
Hunted for their fine, ornate skin and for sale in the exotic pet trade, some boa constrictors have protected status in their range. 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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