Rainbow boa

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Rainbow boa
EpicratesCenchriaCenchria1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Genus: Epicrates
Species:
E. cenchria
Binomial name
Epicrates cenchria
Synonyms [2]
Synonyms List
  • Boa cenchria
    Linnaeus, 1754
  • [Boa] Cenchria
    Linnaeus, 1758
  • Coluber tamachia
    Scopoli, 1788
  • Boa Cenchris
    Gmelin, 1788
  • Boa aboma
    Daudin, 1803
  • Boa ternatea
    Daudin, 1803
  • Boa annulifer
    Daudin, 1803
  • [Epicrates] cenchria
    Wagler, 1830
  • Cliftia fusca
    Gray, 1849
  • Epicarsius cupreus
    J.G. Fischer, 1856
  • Epicarsius cupreus
    — Brown, 1893
  • Epicrates cenchris
    Boulenger, 1893
  • Epicrates cenchria
    Griffin, 1916
  • Epicrates cenchria var. fusca
    — Griffin, 1916
  • Epicrates cenchria cenchria
    Amaral, 1930
  • Epicrates cenchria cenchria
    Stull, 1938

The rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria) is a boa species endemic to Central and South America. A semi-arboreal species (not only do they climb in the wild but also proven in captivity), it is known for its attractive iridescent/holographic sheen caused by structural coloration. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. [3]

Contents

Distribution and habitat

The rainbow boa is found in lower Central America (Costa Rica and Panama), and farther south into South America. It occurs east of the Andes, roughly reaching northern Argentina (in the provinces Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán).

The rainbow boa's habitat generally consists of humid woodlands and rainforests, but it can also be found in open savannas.

Description

The rainbow boa is typically orange, brown, or reddish brown, with a paler belly and black markings: three parallel stripes on the head, rings down the back, and lateral blotches with a crescent over them, although there is a great deal of natural variation that may be heightened by artificial breeding. It is 4 to 6 meters in length [4] and sexually dimorphic, as females are slightly longer and have wider abdomens. Males are stronger when compared with females of the same length and more resistant to handling. [5]

Behavior

Rainbow boas are nocturnal and most active in the middle of the night.

This species is semi-arboreal, spending time both on the ground and in trees. They are also known to spend time in bodies of water, and are considered capable swimmers.

Mating habits

The rainbow boa reaches sexual maturity at 1.2 meters for males and 1.4 meters for females, or when they're approximately 2.5 to 4 years old. [4] Females need to be the correct size otherwise they could have complications during and after birth. Males can mate with multiple females which can be beneficial for reptile breeding.

Eating habits during breeding season

Males generally go without feeding during the mating season and females tend to eat smaller portions during the breeding season. In order to decrease the probability of birthing issues, females should be fed smaller rats/mice in order to save space for proper ova development.

It is not unusual for both sexes to go without eating during the mating season.

Captivity

The most common type of rainbow boa found in the pet trade is the Brazilian rainbow boa, E. c. cenchria. During the 1980s and early 1990s, substantial numbers were exported from Suriname. Today, however, far fewer are exported, and most offered for sale are captive bred. [6] With good care, a captive Brazilian rainbow boa can be expected to live for up to 30 years, but most live up to 20. [7]

Subspecies

Subspecies [3] Taxon author [3] Common nameGeographic range
Epicrates cenchria barbouri Stull, 1938Marajo Island rainbow boa
Epicrates cenchria cenchria(Linnaeus, 1758)Brazilian rainbow boathe Amazon Basin and in coastal Guiana, French Guiana, Suriname and southern Venezuela
Epicrates cenchria gaigeaeStull, 1938Peruvian rainbow boa
Epicrates cenchria hygrophilus Amaral, 1935Espirito Santo rainbow boa
Epicrates cenchria polylepisAmaral, 1935Central Highlands rainbow boa

Etymology

The subspecific names barbouri and gaigeae are in honor of American herpetologists Thomas Barbour and Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige, respectively. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boidae</span> Family of snakes

The Boidae, commonly known as boas or boids, are a family of nonvenomous snakes primarily found in the Americas, as well as Africa, Europe, Asia, and some Pacific islands. Boas include some of the world's largest snakes, with the green anaconda of South America being the heaviest and second-longest snake known; in general, adults are medium to large in size, with females usually larger than the males. Six subfamilies comprising 15 genera and 54 species are currently recognized.

<i>Chilabothrus exsul</i> Species of snake

Chilabothrus exsul, the Abaco Island boa or Northern Bahamas boa, is a boa species found in the Bahamas. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all other boas, it is not venomous.

<i>Epicrates</i> (snake) Genus of snakes

Epicrates is a genus of non-venomous snakes in the subfamily Boinae of the family Boidae. The genus is native to South America and Central America. Five species are currently recognized as being valid, including the rainbow boa.

<i>Corallus</i> Genus of snakes

Corallus, the neotropical tree boas, are a genus of boas found in Central America, South America and the West Indies. Nine extant species are recognized as of 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green anaconda</span> Species of snake

The green anaconda, also known as the giant anaconda, emerald anaconda, common anaconda, common water boa, or southern green anaconda, is a semi-aquatic boa species found in South America and the Caribbean island of Trinidad. It is the largest, heaviest and the second longest snake in the world, after the reticulated python. No subspecies are currently recognized. Like all boas, it is a non-venomous constrictor.

<i>Corallus hortulana</i> Species of snake

Corallus hortulana, previously known as Corallus hortulanus, and commonly known as the Amazon tree boa, common tree boa, garden tree boa, and macabrel, is a boa species found in South America. Previously, there were two recognized subspecies, Corallus hortulanus hortulanus, and Corallus hortulanus cooki, though the species has undergone taxonomic revision and has been broken up into several species. It is primarily nocturnal and arboreal, though it has been observed feeding and reproducing on the ground. Like all boas, it is non-venomous.

<i>Candoia</i> Genus of snakes

Candoia is a genus of non-venomous boas found mostly in New Guinea, Melanesia and the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Common names include bevel-nosed boas and keel-scaled boas.

<i>Corallus cropanii</i> Species of snake

Corallus cropanii, or Cropani's tree boa, is a species of boa, a snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Like all boas, it is not venomous. No subspecies are currently recognized. Until 2017, no specimen of this snake had been seen alive since 1953 and only five dead specimens had been collected since then, but in late January 2017, an adult female Cropan's tree boa measuring 1.7 m was captured by locals in Ribeira who brought it to herpetologists from the Instituto Butantan and the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, who radio-tagged and released the animal to learn more about the species' behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuban boa</span> Species of snake

The Cuban boa, also known as the Cuban tree boa and by locals as majá de Santa María, is a very large species of snake in the family Boidae. With lengths exceeding 5 m (16 ft) and a relatively heavy build, the Cuban boa is one of the largest snakes in the world. The species is native to Cuba and some nearby islands. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Eryx colubrinus</i> Species of snake

Eryx colubrinus, the Egyptian or Kenyan sand boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Northern and Eastern Africa. Three subspecies are recognized.

<i>Boa imperator</i> Species of snake

Boa imperator is a large and heavy-bodied arboreal species of nonvenomous, constrictor-type snake in the family Boidae. One of the most popular pet snakes in the world, B. imperator's native range is from Mexico through Central and South America, with local populations on several small Caribbean islands. It is commonly called the Central American boa, northern boa, Colombian boa, common boa and common northern boa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olive python</span> Species of snake

The olive python is a species of snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to Australia. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Chilabothrus</i> Genus of snakes

Chilabothrus, commonly known as the Greater Antillean boas or West Indian boas, is a genus of nonvenomous snakes the family Boidae. The genus is endemic to the West Indies. 12 or 14 species are recognized as being valid.

<i>Chilabothrus chrysogaster</i> Species of snake

Chilabothrus chrysogaster, commonly known as the Turks and Caicos Islands boa or the Southern Bahamas boa, is a species of snake found in the Southern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Local names include the rainbow boa, the Bahamas cat boa, the rainbow snake, and the fowl snake. Like all boids, it is not a venomous species.

<i>Epicrates maurus</i> Species of snake

Epicrates maurus is a species of non-venomous constrictor in the family Boidae, commonly found in the Amazon region of South America. The common name for this species is the brown rainbow boa. This species is semi-arboreal, spending time both on the ground and climbing trees and shrubs, although they are also known to swim. They are nocturnal and primarily active in the middle of the night. Rainbow boas are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.

<i>Chilabothrus fordii</i> Species of snake endemic to Hispaniola

Chilabothrus fordii, also known commonly as Ford's boa and the Haitian ground boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. There are three recognized subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boa constrictor</span> Species of snake

The boa constrictor, also known as the common boa, is a species of large, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. The boa constrictor is a member of the family Boidae. The species is native to tropical South America. A staple of private collections and public displays, its color pattern is highly variable yet distinctive. Four subspecies are recognized.

Chilabothrus granti, also known commonly as the Virgin Islands boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is native to the Caribbean.

<i>Chilabothrus strigilatus</i> Species of snake

Chilabothrus strigilatus, also known commonly as the Bahamian boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to the Bahamas. There are five recognized subspecies.

References

  1. Calderón, M.; Ortega, A.; Catenazzi, A.; Gagliardi, G.; Cisneros-Heredia, D.F.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Schargel, W.; Rivas, G. (2021). "Epicrates cenchria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T15154721A15154747. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T15154721A15154747.en . Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 3 "Epicrates cenchria ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Brazilian rainbow boa". Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  5. Lourdais, O.; Shine, R.; Bonnet, X.; Brischoux, F. (June 2006). "Sex differences in body composition, performance and behaviour in the Colombian rainbow boa ( Epicrates cenchria maurus , Boidae)". Journal of Zoology. 269 (2): 175–182. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00057.x. ISSN   0952-8369.
  6. Brazilian Rainbow Boa at Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Accessed 12 November 2008.
  7. "Brazilian rainbow boa". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  8. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Epicrates cenchria alvarezi, p. 6;
    E. c. barbouri, p. 16; E. c. gaigeae, p. 96).

Further reading