The boa constrictor is a large, heavy-bodied snake of the American tropics. It is non-venomous and kills prey by constriction, and it lives in a wide range of habitats.
Interesting facts
- Boas give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
- Female boas have produced babies without mating, a process called parthenogenesis.
- Some boas wait at cave entrances to catch bats as they fly out.
- Heat-sensitive scales around the mouth help them detect warm-blooded prey.
- They can go weeks or months without eating after a large meal.
- Boas introduced to Aruba have become an invasive species.
Behaviour
Boas are mostly nocturnal and solitary. They hunt by ambush, both on the ground and in trees.
Breeding and young
After a gestation of several months, females give birth to about 10–65 live young, each up to about 50 cm long.
Threats and conservation
Habitat loss, collection for the pet trade and killing out of fear. The skin trade affects some populations.
Where to see it
- Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
- Belize’s forests
- Amazon lodges in Peru and Ecuador
- Trinidad and Tobago
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
