The Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor) is a large, non-venomous colubrid reptile in the Boidae family of constrictor snakes. It is also known as the Common Boa or the Red-Tailed Boa. It is a boid, pronounced bo-id.

The Boa Constrictor has a thick, heavy body. The pattern on its body is distinctive and varied. It is generally brown, grey, cream, or reddish-brown.

It is smaller than the Reticulated Python and the Burmese Python. The Boa Constrictor measures 91-396 centimetres (3-13 feet), depending on the availability of food.

The Boa Constrictor is native to North America, Central America, and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean.

It is semi-arboreal, which means that it lives in trees and on the ground.

It is nocturnal, active at night. It feeds on mice, rats, birds, bats, lizards, frogs, and toads. It lies in wait for its prey to come close to it, then it attacks.

It is usually solitary.

The Boa Constrictor is viviparous. The female gives birth to live young. She is pregnant for 100-120 days, before giving birth to 10-65 young, called snakelets. The snakelets are independent from birth.

Location of photographs: Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia, and Tashkent Zoo, Uzbekistan

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM