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               Description                                                                              

Boa constrictors are pinkish or tan in color, with 

dark crossbands. Typically, they range in 

lengths from 20 inches (50 cm) as neonates to 

13 feet (3.9 m) as adults. Larger members of 

the Boidae family have heat-sensitive pits on 

its head, but this snake has more simple heat-

sensitive scales. These snakes are solitary and 

nocturnal.   

 Habitat

Boa constrictors occupy a variety of habitats. Primary 

habitat is rainforest clearings or edges. However, they 

are also found in woodlands, grasslands, dry tropical 

forest, thorn scrub, and semi-desert. Boa constrictors 

are also common near human settlements and often 

found in agricultural areas. Boa constrictors are 

commonly seen in or along streams and rivers in 

appropriate habitats. Boa constrictors are semi-

arboreal, although juveniles tend to be more arboreal 

than adults. They also move well on the ground and 

can be found occupying the burrows of medium-sized 

mammals.                        

Predation 

     When threatened, boa constrictors will 

bite to defend themselves. Though there 

are few references to predation on boa 

constrictors in nature, they are certainly 

killed and consumed by numerous 

reptilian, avian, and mammalian 

predators. Young boas are especially 

vulnerable.                                                               

Physical Description

Boa constrictor has long been famous as one 

of the largest species of snake. In reality, boa 

constrictors are fairly modest-sized boids and 

are dwarfed by the other competitors for this 

title. The maximum length reported in B. 

constrictor was slightly over 4 meters. 

Individuals are generally between 2 and 3 

meters in length, although island forms are 

commonly below 2 meters.

Food Habits

Boa constrictors are carnivorous generalists. The 

main bulk of their diet consists of small mammals, 

including bats, and birds. However, they will eat 

any animal they can capture and fit in their 

mouths. Boa constrictors capture prey through 

ambush hunting, although occasionally they 

actively hunt. They can rapidly strike at an animal 

that passes by a branch that they are suspended 

from, for example.

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