Boa constrictor

Historically, the species Boa constrictor was perceived as the only species of boa present on the American continent, comprising multiple subspecies that varied in size and color depending on their geographic distribution. Today, after numerous studies, a second species has been identified. Since then, the taxon Boa constrictor refers to the species present in South America, while Boa imperator refers to those found in North America and Central America.

The geographic distribution of the boa constrictor covers the majority of countries on the South American continent, except for Chile and Uruguay. It frequents various habitats such as tropical and subtropical forests, gallery forests, mangroves, as well as savannas and beaches, up to an altitude of 2,000 meters.

Boa constrictors are solitary and active both day and night. They are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend just as much time in trees as on the ground. However, many adult individuals become more terrestrial with age.

At the time of mating, several males gather around a single female. As with most members of the Boidae family, the boa constrictor has pelvic spurs. These are remnants of hind legs located on each side of the cloacal opening. Males use them during courtship.

Males have a double penis, but only one is used during reproduction. The female is ovoviviparous, which means she doesn’t lay eggs but gives birth to baby snakes. In reality, the eggs remain inside the female’s body, allowing the young to develop in safety. She can give birth to 5 to 41 young after a gestation period of 5 to 6 months. The young reach sexual maturity from the age of 4 years.

Carnivorous, it mainly consumes small mammals, snakes, lizards, and birds. It kills its prey by constriction; once the prey is caught, it coils itself around the animal and contracts its powerful coils to block the blood circulation of its victim. This hold continues until the prey dies, either because the brain stops functioning due to lack of oxygen or from cardiac arrest. Afterwards, the python swallows its prey whole, even if it is larger than itself. As with all snakes, the upper and lower parts of its jaw are not fused and can detach from each other. Although this snake is not venomous, it does have teeth. They are turned inward toward the mouth and help the snake swallow its prey as well as to hold and keep it from escaping.

The boa constrictor is currently not a threatened species. However, its population is decreasing in certain parts of its range, such as in the south of Brazil in the Cerrado. In fact, it is hunted by humans for its meat and skin and is affected by the loss of its habitat due to oil, mining, or agricultural activities.

Historically, this reptile has also been considered the boa most often kept in captivity. Between 2010 and 2018, over 97,000 snakes were sold for the pet trade.

Discover other animal species from America: lowland tapir, emperor tamarin, cotton-top tamarin, California sea lion, giant anteater, golden eagle, hyacinth macaw, red coati.