Boa ConstrictorsTracy Mwangi

Inherited traits of a boa constrictor

inherited of a boa constrictorBoas have a thick, heavy body with

noticeable lateral compression and an arrow-shaped head the same as their parents. Most subspecies are tan colored with dark brown, irregular stripes and reddish-brown, oval patches called saddles towards the tail. The head has a dark brown line running from each eye back to the nape of the neck. Boa constrictors have small spurs on either side or the cloaca that are in fact vestigial legs and all the same as parents.

Interesting factsBoa constrictors are some of the most well-

known reptiles. You wouldn’t want a hug from a big snake! Boa constrictors don’t actually hug.Instead,boas use their big, powerful bodies to squeeze other animals to death. Boa's In the wild, a boa constrictor generally lives for 20 to 30 years. Boa constrictors' colors and patterns vary. They match the habitats where they live so they can blend in. They can be tan, green, red, or yellow. The patterns on their bodies can be jagged lines, ovals, diamond shapes, or circles.

Life cycle of a boaMother boas give birth to boas are

ovoviviparous, meaning they incubate their young internally for five to eight months, and give birth to live babies. Average litter size is 25 with a record of more than 60 babies at a time! A baby boa is on its own from the start. It is born with the instinct, or built-in knowledge, of how to hunt. It also has an instinct to hide to stay safe from predators.

Adaptations of a boa constrictorConstrictors have powerful muscles that help

to subdue prey. A constrictor's teeth help to keep prey within a snake's power. Camouflage helps to hide a boa from predators and hunters. Snake pits and the Jacobson's organ help boas identify prey while seeking them out. A boa has sharp, crooked teeth lining its jaws. These teeth impale prey as the prey struggles to break free from a boa's grasp. According to National Geographic, a boa can stretch its jaws open wide to swallow prey whole.

A habitat of a boaBoa constrictors are powerful snakes and

stealthy hunters. They live in tropical climates throughout most of Central and South America, where they hunt at night. The boa constrictor is a large species of snake typically found in Central and South America. They also live in grasslands deserts and forests.