Boidae
Ringed Tree Boa
HarmlessCorallus annulatus
6 photographs of the Ringed Tree Boa. © Jacek Pietruszewski.
The Ringed Tree Boa (Corallus annulatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 7 countries.
- Family
- Boidae
About the Ringed Tree Boa
Corallus annulatus, known as the ringed tree boa, annulated tree boa, and northern annulated tree boa, is a boa species found in Central and South America. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here. Like all boas, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Description
The color pattern consists of a brownish-red ground color overlaid with blackish rings or netlike reticulations.
Geographic range
Found in Central America in eastern Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. Also in South America in Pacific Colombia and northwestern Ecuador. The type locality given is "Costa Rica."
Subspecies
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Ringed Tree Boa
- Is the Ringed Tree Boa venomous?
- No. The Ringed Tree Boa (Corallus annulatus) 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 Ringed Tree Boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ringed Tree Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Ringed Tree Boa dangerous?
- The Ringed Tree Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Ringed Tree Boa live?
- The Ringed Tree Boa has verified records in 7 countries, including Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
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.