Brown Rainbow Boa

Epicrates maurus is a species of non-venomous constrictor in the family Boidae, commonly found in the Amazon region of South America. The common name for this species is the brown rainbow boa. This species is semi-arboreal, spending time both on the ground and climbing trees and shrubs, although they are also known to swim. They are nocturnal and primarily active in the middle of the night. Rainbow boas are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.

Description

Size and weight:

Epicrates maurus is the smallest of the rainbow boas, reaching lengths of 3 to 5 feet on average, although length varies by subspecies. For example, the most common subspecies in captivity is the Colombian rainbow boa (E. m. colombianus) grows to 5–6 feet long and matures between 4–6 years old. There is a clear sexual dimorphism between male and female, with females being significantly larger in both length and girth.

Coloring:

Generally uniform brown in color with large dark edged vertebral rings and light centers forming saddles, there may also be a slightly off-center 'S' pattern. Through a process called metachrosis, rainbow boas exhibit a day-to-night color change. Primarily noticed in that their pattern will become lighter—almost silver—and have a molted silver sides and bottom. Although individuals of abnormal colors and patterns exist—for example those that exhibit pigmentation disorders such as albinism, they are very rare in the wild and are often found in captivity where these mutations are often bred.

These pictures provide a good example of the day-to-night color change;

both pictures are of the same snake. Pictures were taken 3.2 hours apart.

Distribution and habitat

This species, being the northernmost rainbow boa, is found in rainforests and drier coastal clearings in its range; southern Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and northern South America. More semi-arboreal when young, Colombian rainbow boas may climb into trees and shrubs to forage and avoid land predators; however, they become mostly terrestrial with age.

Behavior

Colombian rainbow boas, like all boas in the family Boidae, are non-venomous snakes that subdue their prey with constriction. Like most boids, they have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their warm-blooded prey. While nocturnal, they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are low. They are active at dawn and dusk and feed on small mammals (such as mice), birds and lizards using their heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the low light. Most Colombian rainbow boas will never need a prey item larger than a large rat; as with most snakes, they can expand their jaw to allow the consuming of items larger than the jaw would normally open (see snake skull). Wild Colombian rainbow boas may bite when they feel threatened as a defense. This bite can be painful, but is not dangerous. Care must still be taken against infection. Like all snakes, when in a shed cycle they will be more unpredictable and irritable due to the added stress of shedding and clouded sight.

Reproduction