©Don Boyer
September 3, 2019
Baby Boas
- as seen by -
Don Boyer
Annulated boas (Corrallus annulatus) have a huge range extending over 1500 miles. They are found in Central America from eastern Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and in South America occur in parts Colombia and northwestern Ecuador
Despite its large range, this species is rarely encountered in the wild and is not common in zoos. In a 10-year herpetological research project at Caño Palma Biological Station, Tortuguero in northeastern Costa Rica, this boa was only encountered 26 times. Even now, little is known about its natural history. It is mainly crepuscular or nocturnal hiding during the day in canopy tree hollows or clusters of vines and epiphytic growth. The snake has several color variations from gray, brown, and black to an orange-red with a body pattern of darker irregular rings or blotches. They often go through a color change from their daytime darker coloration to a much lighter one at night.
Adult annulated boas are on exhibit at WCS’s Bronx Zoo World of Reptiles. On November 26, 2018, an annulated boa gave live birth to five healthy offspring. This represents the first reproduction of this species in the Bronx Zoo’s history.
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