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Boa Constrictor
Order: Squamata
Family: Boidae
Genus: Boa
Species: constrictor
Range & Habitat
Tropical parts of Central and South America in rainforests with high humidity (75%).
Reproduction & Growth
Sexual maturity is reached at 3.5-5 yrs. Boas give birth to as many as 64 live young at a time.The young boa is about 24 inches long and weighs about two ounces at birth. Young increase in size up to 300% in their first year, reaching 5-6 feet during that time. The following year will add another 3-4 feet to its length and several pounds. The growth rate then slows significantly to 6-12 feet.
Diet
In the Wild: large lizards, small or moderate sized birds, opossums, bats,
mongooses, rats and squirrels.
In the Zoo: Frozen Rats about twice a month.
General Information
They have a keen sense of smell but their eyesight is poor. In many parts of tropical America, the boa constrictor has been domesticated and is valued as a destroyer of rodents. They climb trees well and often hunt 50 feet or more off the ground. Largest caught was 18.5 feet.
Brandywine Zoo
Molson is larger male. He is over 20 years old and weighs about 9.5 pounds. He is a member of the traveling zoo and involved in presentations at the zoo.
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