Columbian Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictor imperator

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION:
These snakes usually grow between 5 and 9 foot long although can occasionally be found nearer 12 foot, females tend to be larger than males.

In the wild as with most snakes these are shy animals and hide away in dark areas but in captivity are generally docile and friendly.

All boas including this species are live bearing which means they give birth to tiny replicas of themselves rather than laying eggs. After birth the baby boas leave their mother and are already capable of hunting and looking after themselves.

As the name suggests, boas constrict their prey meaning they squeeze the prey item until it suffocates.  They are not at all venomous. In the wild boas can eat various mammals including bats rodents coatis, birds and lizards. In captivity they feed on rodents.