Rosy boa
Desert Rosy Boa
HarmlessLichanura trivirgata
6 photographs of the Desert Rosy Boa. © Augusto Olmos Mercado.
The Desert Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Also called
- Rosy boa
- Family
- Boidae
- Size
- Stout, 2–3.5 ft.
- Habitat
- Rocky deserts and scrub.
- Behavior
- Slow, docile constrictors.
- Identify
- Thick-bodied with three lengthwise rosy or brown stripes.
About the Desert Rosy Boa
Lichanura, the rosy boas, are a genus of snakes in the family Boidae. They are distributed across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Species
There are two recognized species:
Lichanura orcutti Stejneger, 1889
Lichanura trivirgata Cope, 1861
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Desert Rosy Boa
- Is the Desert Rosy Boa venomous?
- No. The Desert Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Desert Rosy Boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Desert Rosy Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Desert Rosy Boa dangerous?
- The Desert Rosy Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Desert Rosy Boa live?
- The Desert Rosy Boa has verified records in 2 countries, including United States of America, Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Desert Rosy Boa?
- Thick-bodied with three lengthwise rosy or brown stripes.
- How big does the Desert Rosy Boa get?
- Stout, 2–3.5 ft.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
More Boidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.