Common Boa
Size: 2,5–4 m
Food: small mammals and birds
Range: Central and South American rainforests and savannas
The members of the boid family, including boas, anacondas and pythons, are the giants of the snake world. These snakes are not poisonous; instead, they kill their prey by wrapping themselves tightly around the victim and squeezing it to death. Depending on their environment, the common boas live in underground holes or in trees, and are often found also close to human habitation. The colouration of the common boas helps it to blend in its environment, but the beautifully patterned skin has also resulted in the species being widely hunted for the skin trade. However, boas reproduce well in captivity, and pet snakes are rarely
captured from the wild. A boa can give birth to over 50 half-metre-long snakes at a time!