Range

Amazon tree boas are the most widespread of the tree boa species. They live in Central and South America where they can be found throughout the following countries – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

Habitat

They make their home in forests including lower humid, gallery and flooded forests. They may occur in disturbed habitat areas, dry habitats such as savanna and have also been sighted in houses next to forest patches.

Reproduction

Reports of breeding from this species in the wild are rare. Much of the knowledge of their breeding behaviors come from captive breeding events.

Breeding begins in November. As with all boas the Amazon tree boa will give birth to live young. Females retain the eggs within their body where they develop for 6-8 months where they will hatch before being born.

Females can produce as many as 5-20 hatchlings in each clutch. Each hatchling measures around 30cm (12in) long but is incredibly thin.

Within the first 14 days of birth the hatchling will shed it’s a skin a process which from then on occurs regularly throughout their life.

Immediately after birth the young will become independent.

Sexual maturity is reached by three years old.

Behavior

These snakes are primarily active at night when they will hunt. Food is mostly found using the heat sensing pits on either side of their head.

They are mostly arboreal spending their time in the trees. Their tail is strong allowing them to support their body weight using this when trying to access food.

Amazon tree boas are solitary only coming together to breed.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the Amazon tree boa include birds of prey.

Their coloration is thought to help provide camouflage to avoid detection by these predators.

Humans affect their population through collection for the pet trade. They are reliant on trees so are also affected by deforestation.

Quick facts

They are also known as the garden tree boa.