boa constrictor

boa constrictor

The boa constrictor Constrictor (Boa constrictor) or simply anaconda is a snake that can reach an adult size of 2 meters (Boa constrictor amarali) to 4 meters (Boa constrictor constrictor), rarely reaching this maximum size. There is in Brazil, where it is the second largest snake (the greater the anaconda) and can be found in various locations, such as the Atlantic Forest, salt marshes, mangroves, Cerrado, Caatinga and the Amazon rainforest.

In Brazil, there are two subspecies: Boa constrictor constrictor (Forcart, 1960) and the Boa constrictor amarali (Stull, 1932). The first is yellow, more peaceful habits and own the Amazon region and the northeast. The second, boa constrictor-amarali can be found further south and southeast of the country, sometimes found in more central regions of the country.

It is basically an animal with nocturnal habits (which is verifiable by having eyes with vertical pupil), although also has daytime activity.

It is considered a viviparous animals because at the end of pregnancy, the embryo receives the necessary nutrients from the mother's blood. Some biologists devalue this last part of pregnancy and consider them only ovoviviparous because although the embryo developing in the mother's body, most of the time is devoted to a separate egg incubation the maternal body. Pregnancy may take half a year and may have 12-64 pups per litter, born at about 48 centimeters in length and 75 grams in weight.

Detects prey by the perception of motion and heat and surprise them in silence. It feeds on small mammals (mainly rats), birds and lizards that kill by constriction, involving the body of the prey and suffocating her. Your mouth is very swellable and has serrated teeth in the jaws, teeth áglifa. Digestion is slow, typically lasting seven days and may extend a few weeks, during which stands still in a state of torpor.

very docile animal, despite having a dangerous animal fame, is not poisonous (although its bite is painful and can cause infection) and can not eat large animals, are harmless. It is very chased by hunters and animal traffickers, it has a high commercial value as a pet, and your skin can be used in the manufacture of leather goods. A boa constrictor born in captivity accredited by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources can cost 1050-6000 real, sometimes more, according to their color.

There is a black market for wild animals in Brazil, because the laws hinder its creation in captivity, despite the low risk of accidents involved in creating this animal. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources suspended the license for sale of pythons in São Paulo, although international studies show that the regulated trading is the most efficient way to combat the exotic pet trade.