Red-Tailed Boa

Boa constrictor

Stats

Length:

7-8 feet with females being longer than males

height:

Weight:

up to 50 pounds

Lifespan:

20-30 years

Sexual Maturity:

2-3 years

Breeding Season:

September - February

Gestation Period:

Incubate from 4-8 months

Eats

Snakes, including the Red-tailed Boa, are carnivores. When they are younger, these boas often eat mice, small birds, lizards, and frogs. But, as they get older and bigger, so does their prey. At their largest they can eat monkeys, capybaras, caiman, and wild pigs!

Lives

Red-tailed Boas live in Northern Mexico, Central America, and down through Argentina in South America. They prefer areas with hollow logs, abandoned mammal burrows, and tree branches. They can often be found in woodlands, semi-arid (kind of dry) forests, tropical rainforests, deserts, grasslands, and farm fields.

Behavior

Red-tailed boas are nocturnal and often solitary.

Description

The red-tailed boa is a large, strong snake with smooth, shiny scales in a beautiful mix of browns, tans, and grays, accented by dark oval spots along its back. Its striking reddish-brown tail gives it its name. With a head wider than its neck, it has a unique arrow shape. This impressive snake is not only visually stunning but also a fascinating creature!