Range: Coast of Brazil to Eastern Ecuador and north to Central Venezuela.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests of the Amazon River Basin, but also occur in grasslands, and cooler coastal forests.
Description: Amazon tree boas reach a length between 4-7 feet. This boa has a large triangular head that narrows to a very thin neck and a slender laterally compressed body which tapers to a long prehensile tail. This species exhibits diverse colors and patterns, which range from tan, gray, brown, black to yellow, orange, red and various mixtures of these colors.
Adaptations/Habitat: Amazon tree boas are highly arboreal, which is evident from their various morphological features. Their laterally compressed bodies help them grip tree limbs better and allow them to crawl up vertical limbs with ease. Their prehensile tail allows them to anchor themselves onto a limb to snatch passing bird prey out of midair. Their heat receptors enable them to catch endothermic (warm-blooded) prey at night when they are most active.
Breeding/Growth: Like most other boas, Amazon tree boas give birth to live young.
Diet: Young individuals have a varied diet in the wild and feed on juvenile birds, mammals, lizards, amphibians and the occasional insect. As individuals mature, the prey preference switches to larger endothermic (warm-blooded) prey items such as larger birds and mammals. Variation in diet is also regional.
Exhibit: Aquarium Complex
Notes: Deforestation and resulting loss of habitat threatens this species.
