Bio Facts: Boa, Annulated
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Common Name:
Annulated Tree Boa
Scientific Name:
Corallus annulatus
Family:
Boidae
Order:
Squamata
Class:
Reptilia
Range:
Central America in eastern Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama; South America in Pacific Colombia and northwestern Ecuador
Habitat:
Primarily rainforest vegetation near streams
Description:
The color pattern consists of a brownish-red ground color overlaid with blackish rings or netlike reticulations
Life Expectancy:
In captivity – up to 20 years; unknown in the wild
Sexual Maturity:
About 4 -6 years of age
Diet:
In the wild they eat. In the Zoo they are fed rodents.
Status:
CITES – Appendix II
Behaviors:
Very shy and secretive in the wild, they spend a large amount of time hidden in leaf litter. All members of the genus are nocturnal and have large numbers of very pronounced thermoreceptive pits located between the labial scales. They inhabit elevations from sea level up to 3,200’ (975 m). Members of the genus Corallus have an aggressive demeanor and will strike readily.
Adaptations:
They typically have relatively large eyes, although this is less pronounced in the larger species, such as the emerald tree boa, Corallus caninus. The anterior teeth are highly elongated, often being several times the length one would expect for snakes of their size. These are used for penetrating layers of feathers to get a firm grip on birds, their primary prey.
Special Interest:
Corallus is a genus of non-venomous boas found in Central and South America and the West Indies. Seven species are currently recognized. Three subspecies of Corallus annulatus are recognized: C. a. annulatus (Cope, 1875) Northern annulated tree boa, C. a. blombergi (Rendahl & Vestergren, 1940) Ecuadorian annulated tree boa, and C. a. colombianus (Rendahl & Vestergren, 1940) Colombian annulated tree boa.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is one of only 6 AZA accredited zoos in the country to exhibit this species.
Conservation:
The stunning coloration of the species in this genus makes them popular in the ‘pet’ trade. Over collecting and habitat destruction have contributed to their classification as Appendix II under the Conservation of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) of Flora and Fauna.
Jacksonville Zoo History:
Annulated boas were part of the Jacksonville Zoo inventory in 1966-67 and were once again added in 2006.
Last Revised:
2010
