A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Charina bottae (Blainville, 1835)
Rubber boas are one of the smaller boa species, adults can be anywhere from 38 to 84 centimetres (1.25 to 2.76 ft) long; newborns are typically 19 to 23 centimetres (7.5 to 9.1 in) long. The common name is derived from their skin which is often loose and wrinkled and consists of small scales that are smooth and shiny, these characteristics give the snakes a rubber like look and texture. Colors are typically tan to dark brown with a lighter ventral surface but sometimes olive-green, yellow, or orange.
Rubber boas have been known to inhabit a wide variety of habitat types from grassland, meadows and chaparral to deciduous and coniferforests, to high alpine settings. They can be found at elevations anywhere from sea level to over 10,000 feet (3,000 m). They are not as tolerant of higher temperatures as other snake species and cannot inhabit areas that are too hot and dry, but can live in areas that are surprisingly cold, especially for a snake.
This was the first one I'd ever seen. It was a rainy day and it didn't move very fast and was quite docile. I picked it up wound it up and miss it from the road way.
No Comments