Brazilian+Rainbow+Boa

toc ////Scientific name //// //Epicrates cenchria // //E. c. cenchria// (Brazilian rainbow boa); //E. c. alvarezi// (Argentine rainbow boa); //E. c. assisi// (Caatinga rainbow boa); //E. c. barbouri// (Marajo Island rainbow boa); //E. c. crassus// (Paraguayan rainbow boa); //E. c. gaigei// (Peruvian rainbow boa); //E. c. hygrophilus// (Espirito Santo rainbow boa); //E. c. maurus// (Colombian rainbow boa); //E. c. polylepis// (Central highland rainbow boa)

Order: Squamata 


 * __Husbandry Information__ **

Housing Requirements

 * Housing requires full spectrum bulbs. Humidity 60-70%, can be achieved through a misting system or humidity box.
 * Daytime temps 73-90 degrees, night time temps 70-75 degrees.
 * These snakes are semi-arboreal, but will need a hide box.

Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, Brazilian rainbow boas eat small mammals, including bats, and birds.
 * In captivity, they are fed rodents.
 * Brandywine Zoo Diet: 4 Adult mice every other week.

Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * These snakes are semi-arboreal and enjoy being able to explore climbing apparatuses, which also makes a great demo for programs.

=__Programmatic Information__=

Tips on Presentation

 * Presented in hand or on a climbing apparatus.

Potential Messaging

 * These snakes are known for their iridescent sheen caused by structural coloration of their scales (great for biomimicry programs!). The iridescent sheen is due to microscopic ridges on their scales, which act like prisms to refract light into rainbows.
 * Habitat degradation is a concern, as these snakes are from the Amazon.
 * Ovoviviparous

=__Acquisition Information__=

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat
Brazilian rainbow boas live from Costa Rica south to Argentina, Trinidad, and Tobago. Preferred habitat is primary and secondary forests and forest edges.

Physical Description
This is a round-bodied, slim snake. It is brown to red-brown, fading to pale gray or tan along the sides. There are large, round, black-bordered orange-tan spots along the back (called "ocelli.") This species characteristically exhibits a blue iridescence in the sunlight, giving rise to the name "rainbow boa." Brazilian rainbow boas can reach up to 6 feet in length.

Life Cycle
This species is ovoviviparous, which means the young develop within eggs that remain within the mother up until they hatch, or are about to hatch. This strategy is similar to viviparity in that the young are provided within a sheltered environment. However, the young are nourished by the egg yolk rather than the mother's body. Females are sexually mature at 3 to 4 years of age; males mature at 3 years of age. Breeding occurs in November through February, and then again May through July. Young are born May through November/December. The average number of young born per clutch is 12 to 15, but a clutch could be as large as 30 eggs. Hatchlings are 15 to 20 inches long at birth. Brazilian rainbow boas live for about 15 years.

Threats and Conservation Status
This species is not listed as endangered.

=__Did you know…__=
 * The Brazilian rainbow boa is one of about 12 named subspecies of rainbow boa. There is, however, much debate about the number of subspecies.

__ **Photographs** __

=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo
 * Brandywine Zoo