Amazon tree boa
Corrallus hortulanus
IUCN Status: Least concern
Diet
Sharp angled pharyngeal teeth secure sleeping prey located by extremely sensitive heat sensors in the pit of their nostrils. Usually roosting birds are eaten but they can easily take any mammal or reptile up to the size of the width of their head.
Breeding
As a boa live young are born (Vvviparous). The eggs are retained inside the females body and the embryos develop over a 6-8 month period before being born. Anything from 5 - 20 young are born all about 30cms in length but thin (about 0.5cms wide) and very agile like their parents.
At The Zoo
We have a young orange phase male on exhibit. It is fed weekly on dead mice. The zoo intends to try and secure another colour phased female for potential breeding.
Habitat
They particularly like the riverine habitats throughout the northern Amazon rainforest east of the Andes (Guyana, Venezuela etc.,).
Fun Facts
These snakes can be easily found in the wild by torchlight at night whilst travelling by boat in the river. They produce a very distinctive red eyeshine reflection. Their colouration can vary tremendously from drab browns, to yellow and reds! They are the most widespread of the tree boa species.
Behaviour
This is a specilaist night-time hunter! These snakes will exploe the outer branches of trees and shrubs that will support their weight searching for prey.