Emerald Tree Boa
TYPE: Reptile
STATUS:
Least Concern
QUICK STATS
Body size
4–9 feet
2–4 pounds
native habitat
Rainforests of the Amazon Basin, from Venezuela to Brazil to northern Bolivia
life expectancy
Up to 25 years
diet
Small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs
Reproduction
oviviparous; 6–14 per litter
predators
Young boas may be preyed upon
natural defenses
Constriction, camouflage
About the Species
A RAINFOREST JEWEL
This bright green constrictor inhabits the tropical rainforests of South America. They are almost always found in the trees, coiled atop a branch and waiting patiently for prey.
The emerald tree boa is oviviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young.
Young emerald tree boas develop inside the female snake. They are born able to immediately slither and fend for themselves, requiring no maternal care. Young emerald tree boas are born red to yellow-orange in color, and turn green by their first birthday.
Boas are constrictors, meaning they kill their prey by wrapping around it tightly. However, they do not kill their prey by crushing it as many believe. They simply wrap around so tight that the prey cannot breathe at all, and the prey then dies from suffocation.
Corallus caninus
Emerald tree boas have vertical eyelids, resembling a cat
WORD FROM
THE EXPERTS
