Red-tailed Boa

1 Overview

The Red-tailed Boa, also called the red-tailed python, is a large, non-venomous snake with varied colors. Its average lifespan is 20–30 years, and it is a very striking serpent. Ten subspecies are currently recognized.

Common Name: Red-tailed Boa

Binomial: Boa constrictor

Family: Boidae

Subspecies recognized: 10

Distribution: South America (the largest on record, from Suriname, measured 411 cm and 427 cm).

2 Physical Characteristics

Because of multiple subspecies, adult size varies, but typically body length is 2–3 m, occasionally over 4 m. Females are generally sturdier than males.

South American red-tailed boas are longer-bodied; the two largest on record from Suriname are 411 cm and 427 cm. Such size is rare — generally over 300 cm already counts as a giant for this species. The tail is very powerful and can grip objects. The head has no heat-sensing labial pits. In color, the body is mostly red or brown based, with a brick-red tail. The back is mainly brown-yellow patterned, the tail pattern lighter.

3 Behavior and Habitat

Its huge size is intimidating at first. The red-tailed boa is a typical solitary animal, active at night, but if night temperatures are too low it basks by day to supplement heat.

It is semi-arboreal; juveniles or subadults sometimes climb trees to hunt but mostly stay on land. It lives in various environments — tropical rainforest, treeless grassland. It is common along rivers and streams in tropical rainforest and occupies medium-mammal burrows as shelter. Like other snakes it climbs. Gentle and easily tamed, it has become a popular private pet domestically and abroad.

4 Husbandry

Despite its large size, its advantage over other large snakes is that it is non-venomous and safe to keep. Juveniles are best kept in a cage with a branch; the branch can be removed as it grows. Its prey is varied — many mammals and birds, especially rodents. It may also take large lizards, even prey as large as an ocelot.