HABITAT AND RANGE:
Red-Tailed Boas are from South America,
Mexico and Columbia. Ranging from the
high cloud forests to the dry low lands,
these beautifully marked snakes are only
moderately arboreal. They are frequently
found near human habitation, due to the
abundance of rodents found near human
habitats.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The Red-Tailed Boa is very similar to
the common Boa Constrictor; however, its
tail is a more distinct reddish color.
They have pale colors beneath the
striking patterns on their skin,
typically a soft gray or tan. The name
"red-tail" clearly refers to the deep
red markings on their tails as well as
the red saddle markings along their
backs. They are large, hardy, powerful
snakes. Specimens from most localities
have more or less prominent dark red,
reddish brown or brown markings on the
tail. A male Red-Tailed Boa tends to be
6 to 8 feet long and very thick bodied.
Females will reach closer to 8 to 10
feet and are also thick bodied. Healthy
adults usually weigh between 30 and 60
lbs. The largest Boa in captivity is 16
ft. long. Growth is directly related to
diet and housing conditions. However,
unlike fish, a reptile will outgrow its
surroundings.
ADAPTATIONS:
Boas are primarily nocturnal or
crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
In the extreme northern and southern
portions of their range, the Boas will
often go through several weeks of
inactivity to get through the periods of
extreme cold or drought. When young,
they can be aggressive, but become
calmer and non-aggressive as they age.
DIET:
The Red-Tailed Boa feeds on small
mammals, amphibians, lizards, other
snakes and birds. Like other boa
constrictors, this snake kills its prey
by squeezing it with its powerful coils
until the victim can no longer breathe.
Then it swallows its meal whole,
head-first. After eating a large animal,
the boa doesn't need to eat again for a
long time, and may rests for weeks.
REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Female boas produce live offspring
instead of laying eggs. Fertilization by
the male is internal. During copulation,
males can cling to the female via a
small set of "spurs" that are generally
hidden below scales on either side of
the vent and are actually evolutionary
remnants of the hind legs. The gestation
period of boas is 108 days after the
post ovulation shed. They will give
birth to anywhere between 20 and 40
young. At birth red-tailed boas are
between 16 and 20 inches long. A
hatchling will increase its size by 300%
in its first year, reaching 5 to 6 feet
in that time. Sexual maturity is reached
at 3 years. In captivity, the Red-Tailed
Boa can live more than 40 years.
STATUS IN WILD:
True Red-Tailed Boas are increasingly
rare in the wild. The population is
declining due to deforestation, over
collection for the skin trade as well as
occasional consumption by humans. The
pet trade is no longer a major threat to
this animal as Boa Constrictors breed
readily in captivity.
