Boa Constrictor

These beautiful snakes are very distinctive due to their narrow head and pointed snout.

There may be as many as 10 subspecies and they are found in a diverse selection of habitats from tropical forest to dry savannah. They have also been found in some urban areas.

They are excellent climbers but do hunt on the ground as well as in the trees.

They are also able swimmers, the Anaconda is part of this family, they are so at home in the water they are called “Water Boas”.

Unfortunately the Boa constrictor has a bad name, often portrayed in “jungle” movies as a dangerous monster in the trees, dropping down and devouring hero's. This is not true. Boa constrictors are docile snakes and do not grow anywhere near large enough to attempt to eat people.

In fact it is people who are a threat to them. Deforestation and the animal trade are reducing the wild populations forever pushing them towards extinction.