The boas live mainly in the tropics of the New World. There are some fifty or more species, ranging in size from the giant anaconda, which may reach a length of thirty feet, to the small rubber boa which is only two feet long. The emerald tree boa, one of the most attractive members of the boa is about four feet long when it is full-grown, The female emerald tree boa, like all other boas, does not lay eggs but gives birth to young. Young emerald tree boas are red, but the adults are a brilliant green, with yellow or white bands on their back. Since these snakes live mainly in trees in the forests of northern South America, their brilfamily, liant colours blend in perfectly with those of their surroundings.
In its mouth, it has long sharp teeth, from which it gets its scientific name of Boa canina. But a boa’s bite is not poisonous. They use their teeth to hold the small animals they catch, while they constrict their prey within the coils of their bodies. They eat birds and lizards and small mammals that wander within their reach. Their jaws can be extended so that they can swallow an animal that may be wider than the width of their own heads.
Boas spend much of their time sleeping. When a boa is disturbed, it coils itself around a branch. It does not try to escape; it neither attacks nor pursues. Its only reaction is to become immobile. Those animals which seem to be aware of the power of the boa’s crushing grip may then ignore it. But the jaguar, aggressive as always, will not accept this immobility and may let fly at the reptile with a blow of a powerful paw at the snake’s most vulnerable part, the head.
Even for a snake, the equatorial forest is full of dangers and it has no assurance of leading a long and peaceful life. Perhaps that is why boas do not seem homesick in zoos. They may not have complete freedom there, but they will not encounter their enemy, the jaguar.
The Cook’s tree boa resembles the emerald boa in certain ways, especially in its habits, but it is a golden-brown colour. It hides so well among the leaves and branches of trees that it can hardly be seen. The most famous boa is probably the boa constrictor, which lives in Central and northern South America. This snake is about ten feet long. The anaconda, not only the largest boa, but thought also to be the largest snake of the New World, lives in the tropical forests of South America. It is usually found near water, either along rivers or in marshes. It eats mammals as well as birds and reptiles.
There are even two boas found in western United States. One, the rosy boa, lives in Southern California and Mexico. It is a small striped snake about three feet long. It makes its home in dry rocky areas and eats rodents. Th other boa, the rubber boa, is smaller. It also eats rodents and lizards. This brownish-grey boa lives mainly in forests of the Northwest but its range extends to California.
Emerald Tree Boa Pictures
