Boa Constrictor Flashcards
True or false? The boa constrictor’s tail is prehensile.
True.
What are the spurs at the cloaca of the boa constrictor thought to be?
Vestigial legs.
How long do boa constrictors get?
Between 10 and 14 feet
How much do boa constrictors weigh?
Between twenty and 30 pounds
Do boa constrictors give birth to live young?
Yes.
What can cause changes in how long the boa constrictor’s gestation period is?
Changes in temperature and humidity.
How long cant he gestation period of the boa constrictor be?
4 to 10 months.
How many offspring does the boa constrictor have?
Up to 60.
How long and old are boa constrictors when they are mature?
4 years old and 5 feet.
How long can boa constrictors live?
Up to 40 years.
What is the range and habitat of the boa constrictor?
It is found in rainforests, semi-desert, rocky hillsides, and savanna in Central and South America. also in parts of the Caribbean.
What do boa constrictors eat?
Mammals, lizards, and birds.
How large is the prey of most boa constrictors?
8 times the size of their head.
Are boa constrictors nocturnal?
Yes.
What are the four reasons reptiles generally move?
To find a mate, to find food, to escape danger, and to find heat.
How far is the striking distance of most constrictors?
One third of their body.
How do boa constrictors hold prey in their mouth?
They have backwards-facing teeth.
How do snakes swallow something so large without suffocating?
Their jawbones are separated and move independently. Their windpipe is also at the front of their mouth.
What kind of camouflage do boa constrictors employ?
Countershading.
What role do boa constrictors fulfill in their habitat?
They control pest populations.
What is the conservation status of the boa constrictor?
Least concern.
What are the main threats to the boa constrictor?
Habitat loss, poaching, and the pet trade.
What is unusual about the common and scientific names of the boa constrictor?
They are the same.
How many subspecies of boa constrictor are currently recognized?
Ten.
What is the common name of the nominate subspecies of boa constrictor?
Red-tailed boa.
There was once a report of a nineteen foot boa constrictor. What kind of snake did it turn out to be?
A green anaconda.
What is odd about boa constrictors’ lungs?
They have a vestigial left lung. This lung has disappeared in most snakes.
Can boa constrictors swim?
Yes.
Are boa constrictors social?
No.
Are boa constrictors arboreal?
No, they are semi-arboreal.
What causes boa constrictors to stick to the ground more as they get older?
They get heavier.
How long does it take a boa constrictor to digest food?
About 5 days.
True or false? A boa constrictor reproduced asexually in 2010.
True.
How will a female boa attract mates?
She will rub a scent on herself that will attract males. The males then wrestle over the right to breed with her.
How long are newborn boa constrictors?
20 inches
How many days is the gestation period of the boa constrictor?
100
True or false? Boa constrictors are usually tame in captivity.
True.
