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 feet 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

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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

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

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<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

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<i>Acrantophis dumerili</i> Species of snake

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<i>Acrantophis madagascariensis</i> Species of snake

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

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

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<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.

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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