Boa ConstrictorBoa Constrictor

Aaron Dal PoggettoAaron Dal Poggetto

Mr. BuchmannMr. Buchmann

Biology 5*Biology 5*

9 May 20119 May 2011

Boa StatsBoa Stats

• Common Name:Common Name: Boa Boa ConstrictorConstrictor

• Size:Size: Boa constrictors can Boa constrictors can grow to be 6½ to 10 feet grow to be 6½ to 10 feet (2–3 m) long. (2–3 m) long.

• Weight:Weight: adult boas weigh adult boas weigh approximately 27 kg (60 lbs)approximately 27 kg (60 lbs)

• Color:Color: They are light brown They are light brown or cream colored and have or cream colored and have dark brown areas on their dark brown areas on their back. back.

http://www.pklifescience.com/staticfiles/articles/images/PKLS110_inline.png

Habitat RangeHabitat Range

• They live in Central America and South America.

• Boas live in many different habitats, such as rain forests, grasslands, and deserts.

• Boas often live in tropical areas, which are warm year-round.

http://www.zoo.org/view.image?Id=2056

Food SourceFood Source

• Boas eat a variety of Boas eat a variety of foods.foods.

• Young snakes, mice, Young snakes, mice, small birds, lizards, and small birds, lizards, and frogs.frogs.

• As the Boa grows, the As the Boa grows, the size of its prey size of its prey increases.increases.

• Adults eat monkeys, Adults eat monkeys, and wild pigsand wild pigs

http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/29/2909/GCOPD00Z/art-print/brian-kenney-central-american-boa-boa-constrictor-imperator-with-prey-honduras.jpg

Hunting TechniquesHunting Techniques

• Once boas kill prey, they open Once boas kill prey, they open their jaws, or mouthparts, very their jaws, or mouthparts, very wide. wide.

• Boas capture the animal and Boas capture the animal and put the animal in a grip, which put the animal in a grip, which they cant get out. ‘they cant get out. ‘

• Its called Its called constrictingconstricting, hence , hence the name Boa Constrictor.the name Boa Constrictor.

• They swallow their prey whole They swallow their prey whole starting with its head. starting with its head.

• Boas can open their mouth Boas can open their mouth wider than other snakes and wider than other snakes and can eat animals that are bigger can eat animals that are bigger than their jaws. than their jaws.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/imgnov04macro/boa205.jpg

Life CycleLife Cycle• Boa Constructors are 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) long at Boa Constructors are 17-20 inches (43-51 cm) long at

birth birth

• They can grow to 3 feet (.9 m) in a few months.They can grow to 3 feet (.9 m) in a few months.

• They mature at 3-4 years of age and the larger ones They mature at 3-4 years of age and the larger ones are about 6 feet (1.8 m) long.are about 6 feet (1.8 m) long.

• During the rainy season, Boas are solitary. During the rainy season, Boas are solitary.

• In captivity, a male might court a female for up to 5 In captivity, a male might court a female for up to 5 weeks before copulation happens. weeks before copulation happens.

• Courting consists of winding back and forth over the Courting consists of winding back and forth over the females body and simulating her cloaca with his females body and simulating her cloaca with his spursspurs

Boa Constrictor PicturesBoa Constrictor Pictures

http://dept.sfcollege.edu/zoo/images/Boa%20Constrictor.jpg

http://weirdworldnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/boa.jpg

http://stonierpage.wikispaces.com/file/view/boa_constrictor.jpg/30656204/boa_constrictor.jpg

http://www.kewlwallpapers.com/bulkupload/85/Animals/Red-Tailed%20Boa%20Constrictor.jpg

Works CitedWorks Cited

• Fiedler, Julie. "Boas." PowerKids Life Science, Rosen Fiedler, Julie. "Boas." PowerKids Life Science, Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2011. 28 Apr. 2011 <Publishing Group, Inc., 2011. 28 Apr. 2011 <http://www.pklifescience.com/article/54/boas->. >.

• http://www.wonderclub.com/Wildlife/reptiles/http://www.wonderclub.com/Wildlife/reptiles/BoaConstrictor.htmlBoaConstrictor.html

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/boa-http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/boa-constrictor/constrictor/

• http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Boaconstrictor.cfmFacts/FactSheets/Boaconstrictor.cfm