Family: Biodae
There are around 43 species here. These are nonvenomous shakes inhabiting North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. These snakes kill prey using constriction, gradually squeezing until the prey suffocates. What separates boas from pythons is a difference in jaw bones. Unlike most reptiles, many boidae also give birth to live young.
No Information Domesticated Near Threatened Endangered Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Subfamily: Boinae
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Emerald Tree Boa
Corallus caninus This snake is native to the rain forests of South America and grows to around 6 ft. They have proportionately larger teeth than other snakes and prey on small mammals as occasionally birds. Females will have 6 to 14 eggs at a time. The juvenile boas are brick-red for the first several months and gradually change to green.
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Trinidad Tree Boa
Corallus ruschenbergerii |
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Rainbow Boa
Epicrates cenchria Schemochromes in its skin give it an iridescent look. Rainbow Boas are popular in the pet trades, and today most are bred from captivity, so the threat to the wild population is less. There are 9 subspecies of Rainbow Boa, although they all originate in lower Central America into South America.
See: structural coloration |
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Jamaican Boa
Epicrates subflavus Also known as a Yellow Snake, this species is native to Jamaica. It can grow to over 6 ft. Its current status is due to gradual habitat loss which is expected to continue over the next several generations of snakes.
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Green Anaconda
Eunectes murinus Also known as the Common Anaconda or Water Boa, the Green Anaconda is the heaviest and the second longest snake species. Typical snakes range around 150 lbs, but records exist of a 17ft female tipping the scales at 215 lbs. They will eat whatever they can overpower and have been known to eat animals as large as a caiman or a Capybara. Green Anacondas have also been known to eat each other.
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Yellow Anaconda
Eunectes notaeus Also known as a Paraguayan Anaconda, this species is native to South America. Adults can grow to 14 ft. and weigh over 70 lbs. They prefer marshes, slow-moving rivers, and aquatic environments. They prefer ambushing prey. These snakes prey on animals proportionately larger than other snakes their size.
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Subfamily: Sanziniinae
Madagascar Ground Boa
Acrantophis madagascariensis Also known as a Malagasy Ground Boa, this is the largest snake species on the island of Madagascar. They can range from 8 to 10 ft in length. Although they are a species of Least Concern, habitat loss and the illegal pet trade do threaten their numbers.
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Madagascar Tree Boa
Sanzainia madagascariensis volontany Also known as a Malagasy Tree Boa, this species is native to Madagascar. It can grow to around 6 ft. and prefer trees near streams or ponds. It uses heat pits near its mouth to detect prey even in the dark.
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