Rainbow boa

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"Aboma" redirects here. For the monotypic fish taxon, see Scaly boy.

Rainbow boa
EpicratesCenchriaCenchria1.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Genus: Epicrates
Species:
E. cenchria
Binomial name
Epicrates cenchria
Synonyms[1]
  • Boa cenchria
    Linnaeus, 1754
  • [Boa] Cenchria
    Linnaeus, 1758
  • Coluber tamachia
    Scopoli, 1788
  • Boa Cenchris
    — Gmelin, 1788
  • Boa aboma
    Daudin, 1803
  • Boa ternatea
    Daudin, 1803
  • Boa annulifer
    Daudin, 1803
  • [Epicrates] cenchria
    — Wagler, 1830
  • Cliftia fusca
    Gray, 1849
  • Epicarsius cupreus
    J.G. Fischer, 1856
  • Epicarsius cupreus
    — Brown, 1893
  • Epicrates cenchris
    — Boulenger, 1893
  • Epicrates cenchria
    — , 1916
  • Epicrates cenchria var. fusca
    — Griffin, 1916
  • Epicrates cenchria cenchria
    — Amaral, 1930
  • Epicrates cenchria cenchria
    — Stull, 1938

Epicrates cenchria is a boa species endemic to Central and South America. Common names include the rainbow boa,[2] and the slender boa. A terrestrial species, it is known for its attractive iridescent/holographic sheen caused by structural coloration. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[2]

Distribution and habitat[]

Epicrates cenchria is found in lower Central America (Costa Rica and Panama), and farther south into South America it occurs east of the Andes roughly reaching northern Argentina (in the provinces: Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán).

The rainbow boa's habitat generally consists of humid woodlands and rain forests, but it can also be found in open savannas.

Captivity[]

Despite requiring very specific humidity and heat, E. cenchria is commonly found in the pet trade. During the 1980s and early 1990s, substantial numbers were exported from Suriname. Today, however, far fewer are exported, and most offered for sale are captive bred.[3] Due to its need for high humidity in a captive environment, it should be considered of intermediate difficulty for snake owners. However, as long as high humidity is provided, the rainbow boa can thrive in captivity. Younger specimens will often bite because of natural defensive instincts, but tend to calm down as they become used to handling.

Subspecies[]

Subspecies[2] Taxon author[2] Common name Geographic range
Stull, 1938 Marajo Island rainbow boa
Epicrates cenchria cenchria (Linnaeus, 1758) Brazilian rainbow boa The Brazilian rainbow boa occurs in the Amazon Basin, and in coastal Guiana, French Guyana, Suriname and southern Venezuela.
Stull, 1938 Peruvian rainbow boa
Amaral, 1935 Espirito Santo rainbow boa
Amaral, 1935 Central highland rainbow boa

Etymology[]

The subspecific name, barbouri, is in honor of American herpetologist Thomas Barbour.[4]

The subspecific name, gaigeae, is in honor of American herpetologist Helen Beulah Thompson Gaige.[4]

Gallery[]

  • Peruvian subspecies (E. c. gaigeae).

References[]

  1. ^ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. ^ a b c d "Epicrates cenchria ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  3. ^ Brazilian Rainbow Boa at Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Accessed 12 November 2008.
  4. ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Epicrates cenchria alvarezi, p. 6;
    E. c. barbouri, p.16; E. c. gaigeae, p. 96).

External links[]

Further reading[]

  • Boulenger GA (1893). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume I., Containing the Families ... Boidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). xiii + 448 pp. + Plates I-XXVIII. (Epicrates cenchris, pp. 94-96).
  • Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. (Epicrates cenchria, pp. 87-88, 125-127 + photographs on pp. 18-19, 22-23, 45).
  • Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, dierentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata. Stockholm: L. Salvius. 824 pp. (Boa cenchria, new species, p. 215). (in Latin).
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