One of the most colorful snakes in its habitat, this boa sparkles like a rainbow, but its victims rarely see it. The rainbow boa seeks cover high in trees or in leaf litter on the ground. Strictly a night hunter, it slithers as it searches for prey and uses two specialized types of vision to spot victims in the dark. The muscular snake then crushes the life out of unsuspecting prey.
Night Vision: The rainbow boa hunts at night and uses its large eyes and wide pupils to let in all available moonlight. This helps the snake spot prey as it slithers on the ground or waits to ambush prey in a tree.
Hot on the Trail: Deep in the jungle, there are nights when no light gets through the thick trees. The rainbow boa can still "see" in complete darkness. Pits around its mouth sense the body heat of prey, and the snake uses this to pinpoint the target before it strikes.
Color Guard[]
The boa likes to curl up in leaf litter and wait for a meal to wander by.
The rainbow boa is named for the wild colors on its body. Not only are its scales anywhere from red to yellow to brown, but the snake has a thin layer of skin over the scales. When light strikes the skin, it reflects all the colors of the rainbow, giving the boa a bright, glossy glow. During the day, the boa's "glow" confuses enemies, such as birds of prey; the shiny snake looks very much like a wet branch instead of a potential meal.
All-Around Hunter: Living in the Amazon Rainforest gives this snake plenty of places to hunt. The snake is an expert climber, and often hangs from tree branches. This boa also likes to be on the ground, hunting near riverbanks and in piles of leaves.
Strike Out: Rainbow boas give birth to live babies in litters of up to 35 young. From the moment they're born, the young snakes are viciously defensive, striking at anything that moves around them.
Unlucky Monkey[]
- As the sun begins to set in the Amazon, a rainbow boa wakes. The snake doesn't need to move, as its perch on a low-hanging branch is a great spot for an ambush. A squirrel monkey wanders by in search of a good resting place, walking right into the boa's trap.
- After striking with lightning speed, the boa grips the monkey with its fangs and holds it still as it throws its coils around the victim. The boa squeezes the breath out of the monkey, and will then begin to swallow its meal head first.