Boa Constrictor
Taxonomy
Order: Squamata
Family: Boidae
Genus/species: Boa constrictor
Description
Boa constrictors are pinkish or tan in color, with dark crossbands.
Typically, they range in lengths from 20 inches (50 cm) as neonates to 13 feet (3.9 m) as adults. Larger members of the Boidae
family have heat-sensitive pits on its head, but this
snake has more simple heat-sensitive scales. These snakes
are solitary and nocturnal.
Distribution and Habitat
Boa constrictors are found from northern Mexico to Argentina.
Of all the boas, this snake thrives in the most varied habitats. It shows, however, the least inclination toward water. It lives in deserts, wet tropical forests, open savanna, and cultivated fields, and from sea level to moderate elevation. Boa constrictors are both terrestrial and arboreal.
Diet in the Wild
This snake feeds on large lizards, small or moderate-sized
birds, opossums, bats, mongooses, rats, and squirrels.
It is a nocturnal hunter and uses its heat-sensitive scales
to locate its prey. The boa constrictor’s preferred
prey is bats, which they catch by hanging from
the branches of trees or the mouths of caves, grabbing
them out of the air as they fly by, and killing them by
constriction.
Zoo Diet
The boa constrictor is fed mice, rats, and chicks.
Reproduction
These snakes are seasonal breeders. The female emits a scent
from the cloaca to attract males. The male and female join
together at the cloaca in order for the male to fertilize
the eggs. Fertilization is internal. Females give birth to
live young.
Life Span
Unknown.
Status
The boa constrictor is listed on CITES Appendix II, except
for B.c.occidentalis, which
is list on Appendix I. In many parts of tropical America,
boa constrictors are valued as destroyers of rodents. In
some areas, these snakes have been
“domesticated” for this reason. Many are bred
or captured for the pet trade. Thousands of dollars are
made importing them to the United States.
Source of Information
All or part of this information was provided by the 
Animal Diversity Web and Museum of Zoology of the University of Michigan.
It appears here with their permission. The original author of this information was Antonio Garza.
For more information, including references, see the Animal Diversity Web account for this species, here:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/ site/ accounts/ information/ Boa_constrictor.html.
