BOA CONTRICTOR

STATUS: Least concern
AT THE WILDLIFE PARK
Nagini is the only snake at the park but what a beautiful snake she is. She lives in the tropical house and can often be found curled up in a corner or if you’re lucky stretched out up high on one of the branches in her enclosure.
HABITAT
Boa constrictors are native to Central and South America. They inhabit dry tropical forests and open areas.
WILD DIET
In most cases, they are ambush predators, meaning they sit and wait for a desirable prey item to pass by. However, if food is scarce, they become more active to seek out prey. They feed on large lizards, small or moderate sized birds, opossums, bats, mongooses, rats and squirrels.
BEHAVIOUR & BREEDING
Boa constrictors are viviparous, giving birth to live young. They generally breed in the dry season—between April and August—and are polygynous; thus, males may mate with multiple females. Half of all females breed in a given year, and a larger percentage of males actively attempt to locate a mate.
THREATS & CONSERVATION
Probably their biggest threats are the ever-increasing human populations and the loss of prime habitat. Boas are very important in controlling rodent populations which, when in excess, can have a seriously negative impact on the environment.
FUN & INTERESTING FACTS
- Boas are considered primitive snakes, differing from other species by having two vestigial (remnant) hind limbs. These vestigial limbs appear as spurs on either side of the cloaca.
- Like all snakes, boas are excellent swimmers, but they usually avoid going into the water as much as possible.
- Boas have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their prey. Boas are nocturnal hunters – they rely on heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the dark.