Red Tail Boa (common boa)

Boa constrictor

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The boa constrictor is a patterned American snake that captures prey by constriction. It uses both vegetation and ground cover, often near water.

Boa constrictor (red tail boa common boa) — Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location: Boa constrictors inhabit tropical South American forests and other wooded or open habitats. The older source includes populations now treated separately, so its entire historic range is not applied here.
Habitat: Rainforest, Grassland
Diet: Carnivore
Food: Small mammals and birds make up much of the diet.

Classification

Common name: Red Tail Boa (common boa)
Browse group: Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon: Boa constrictor
Taxon rank: species
Family: Boidae
Genus: Boa
Source classification: Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length: 2 to 3 m usual length reported by ADW; island forms may be smaller

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

It is non-venomous.
Females are often larger than males.
Younger animals climb readily.

Habitat and range

Boa constrictors inhabit tropical South American forests and other wooded or open habitats. The older source includes populations now treated separately, so its entire historic range is not applied here.

Appearance and adaptations

Dark saddle-shaped markings cross a brown or cream background. Markings near the tail may become more reddish, giving rise to the red-tail name.

Diet and behaviour

Small mammals and birds make up much of the diet. Usually solitary, it often hunts by ambush. It coils around captured prey and then swallows it whole; activity is commonly nocturnal or crepuscular.

Sources

Animal Diversity Web: Boa constrictor
A–Z Animals: Red Tail Boa (common boa) · Directory entry

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