Dumerils Boa

Range: Madagascar

Habitat: Forested regions to light farming areas.

Natural Diet: Small mammals & birds.

Diet at RainForest: Pre-killed rodents.

Size: 4-6 feet, females tend to be slightly larger than males. A terrestrial animal, the Dumerils boa hunts primarily on the ground. The Dumerils boa gives birth to live babies, an average size litter is 4-6 large young.

Rainforest Facts: Madagascar is home to several species of Boa's that are found no where else on earth. The Ground Boa is a heavy bodied animal with a very low reproductive rate. The large nature of the females and low quantity of babies results in very large offspring relative to the size of the female.

All Pythons are constrictors. Snakes that hunt using constriction as a means of subduing prey will very quickly grab their prey with their teeth using a very fast strike. The constrictor will quickly wrap coils of their bodies around the prey and squeeze or constrict the prey item. This process does not actually crush the prey and break its bones as is widely reported in the media. Instead, they squeeze tightly so that the prey animal can’t breath and it suffocates, this process usually requires about 3-4 minutes for the prey animal to be killed.

Once the snake is certain the prey item is dead they then begin to search for the animals head, virtually all prey animals are consumed head first. This process allows the snake to literally "fold" the arms and legs of the prey animal back as the creature is swallowed. Contrary to popular belief a snake does not "unhinge" it's jaws, the jaws in fact are not actually attached in a mechanical way. Long tendons and muscles connect the upper and lower jaws. The lower jaw is actually made up of two separate bones to further enhance the animals ability to manipulate large prey items.

Once the snake has the animal past it's jaws a series rhythmic muscular contractions then pull the prey down the snake’s throat and into its stomach. A very large prey item can be observed in the snakes stomach as a large bulge. Contrary to popular belief the large prey item is not digested by slowing moving down the length of the snake.

Once the prey animal reaches the stomach, usually about 20 minutes for a very large item, the food item is stationary in the snakes stomach as it is gradually digested. The size of the meal can have an impact on the duration of the digestion, but external factors such as ambient air temperature play a larger roll. The snake must be careful not to eat when temperatures are too cool, the meal will quite literally decompose faster than the snake can digest it, causing a gaseous bloating in the snake that can result in death. Ideal air temperatures allow the snake to digest the meal prior to the food item decomposing! Snakes often will regurgitate a meal when the conditions do not allow it to properly digest the meal, this can include both temperatures that are too high and too low!

Status in Wild: As with the majority of Madagascar's wildlife, all of the species of Boas on Madagascar are in ever increasing peril. Loss of habitat is a major concern for this species, large numbers of this animal are being bred in captivity for the pet market, virtually ensuring that the animal will never become extinct, wild populations are another matter.

Amazon Tree Boa

Range: Amazon Basin

Habitat: Strictly arboreal in nature, found in dense forest.

Natural Diet: Small mammals & birds, occasional lizard.

Diet at RainForest: Pre-killed rodents of various size based on the size of the snake.

Size: 4-6 feet, a very thinly built Boa, this animal rarely exceeds 5 feet. Coloration of this snake is highly variable.

RainForest Facts: This boa spends the vast majority of its time living in the mid level canopy of the rain forest. Hunting primarily at night, this nocturnal predator is an efficient hunter of both birds and small mammals. Live babies are born each year to the female boa. An average size litter is 5-8 young. The babies are aggressive feeders.

All Pythons are constrictors. Snakes that hunt using constriction as a means of subduing prey will very quickly grab their prey with their teeth using a very fast strike. The constrictor will quickly wrap coils of their bodies around the prey and squeeze or constrict the prey item. This process does not actually crush the prey and break its bones as is widely reported in the media. Instead, they squeeze tightly so that the prey animal can’t breath and it suffocates, this process usually requires about 3-4 minutes for the prey animal to be killed.

Once the snake is certain the prey item is dead they then begin to search for the animals head, virtually all prey animals are consumed head first. This process allows the snake to literally "fold" the arms and legs of the prey animal back as the creature is swallowed. Contrary to popular belief, a snake does not "unhinge" it's jaws, the jaws in fact are not actually attached in a mechanical way. Long tendons and muscles connect the upper and lower jaws. The lower jaw is actually made up of two separate bones to further enhance the animals ability to manipulate large prey items. Once the snake has the animal past it's jaws a series rhythmic muscular contractions then pull the prey down the snake’s throat and into its stomach. A very large prey item can be observed in the snakes stomach as a large bulge. Contrary to popular belief the large prey item is not digested by slowing moving down the length of the snake. Once the prey animal reaches the stomach, usually about 20 minutes for a very large item, the food item is stationary in the snakes stomach as it is gradually digested. The size of the meal can have an impact on the duration of the digestion, but external factors such as ambient air temperature play a larger roll. The snake must be careful not to eat when temperatures are too cool, the meal will quite literally decompose faster than the snake can digest it, causing a gaseous bloating in the snake that can result in death. Ideal air temperatures allow the snake to digest the meal prior to the food item decomposing! Snakes often will regurgitate a meal when the conditions do not allow it to properly digest the meal, this can include both temperatures that are too high and too low!

Status in Wild: Stable in majority of undisturbed forest, habitat loss is putting pressure on certain populations.

Cuban Boa

Range: Cuba

Habitat: Largest snake on the island of Cuba, has a tendency to be arboreal but can be found living in the tall grasses of open lands.

Natural Diet: Small mammals, birds and bats. This snake has developed a strong ability to hunt bats as they exit the mouth of caves in the early evening hours.

Diet at RainForest: Chicken and pre-killed rodents.

Size: Up to 12 feet in length. More heavy bodied than most arboreal boas.

Keeper Notes: The longest of all arboreal Boas, the Cuban Boa has extremely well developed heat sensing pits located on the lower jaw. The Cuban Boa gives birth to live babies, typically a small litter, the average number born to a female boa is 4-6 young. The babies are remarkably well developed and may be as much as 20" long at birth. Feisty little nippers the babies soon settle down and allow the keepers to maintain their exhibit without too much fuss. 4 babies were born at RainForest Adventures on 11/5/05.

All Pythons are constrictors. Snakes that hunt using constriction as a means of subduing prey will very quickly grab their prey with their teeth using a very fast strike. The constrictor will quickly wrap coils of their bodies around the prey and squeeze or constrict the prey item.

This process does not actually crush the prey and break its bones as is widely reported in the media. Instead, they squeeze tightly so that the prey animal can’t breath and it suffocates, this process usually requires about 3-4 minutes for the prey animal to be killed.

Once the snake is certain the prey item is dead they then begin to search for the animals head, virtually all prey animals are consumed head first. This process allows the snake to literally "fold" the arms and legs of the prey animal back as the creature is swallowed. Contrary to popular belief a snake does not "unhinge" it's jaws, the jaws in fact are not actually attached in a mechanical way. Long tendons and muscles connect the upper and lower jaws. The lower jaw is actually made up of two separate bones to further enhance the animals ability to manipulate large prey items.

Once the snake has the animal past it's jaws a series rhythmic muscular contractions then pull the prey down the snake’s throat and into its stomachA very large prey item can be observed in the snakes stomach as a large bulge. Contrary to popular belief the large prey item is not digested by slowing moving down the length of the snake. Once the prey animal reaches the stomach, usually about 20 minutes for a very large item, the food item is stationary in the snakes stomach as it is gradually digested. The size of the meal can have an impact on the duration of the digestion, but external factors such as ambient air temperature play a larger roll. The snake must be careful not to eat when temperatures are too cool, the meal will quite literally decompose faster than the snake can digest it, causing a gaseous bloating in the snake that can result in death. Ideal air temperatures allow the snake to digest the meal prior to the food item decomposing! Snakes often will regurgitate a meal when the conditions do not allow it to properly digest the meal, this can include both temperatures that are too high and too low!

Status in Wild: Extremely vulnerable, as with many insular species limited geographical range coupled with the normal pressures of deforestation place the animal in extreme risk.

Red Tail Rat

Range: Asia

Habitat: Strictly arboreal, dense forests

Natural Diet: Small mammals & birds, occasionally eats lizards.

Diet at RainForest: Small pre-killed rodents.

Size: 48-78" thin bodied snake.

Status in Wild: Vulnerable to habitat loss

RainForest Facts: This long, thin, arboreal snake rarely descends from the trees. Feeding primarily on small birds and an occasional rodent this stealthy predator will also consume lizards from time to time. The bright coloration on the tail is used as a caudal lure.Caudal luring is used by several species of snakes including young copperheads in the United States. When an unsuspecting bird approaches what it believes is a small red worm or caterpillar slowly wriggling around, the head of the snake is closely poised to deliver a rapid, deadly strike.

Close up of Red Tail Rat Snake head showing details of scales and round pupil.

Milk Snake

Range: Americas, Southern North American and Northern Central America

Habitat: Widely varied by species

Natural Diet: Snakes, small rodents, lizards.

Diet at RainForest: Small pre-killed rodents

Size: 24-40", very thin bodied snake

RainForest Facts: An egg laying snake, the Milk snake typically lays 4-6 highly elliptical eggs in late spring to early summer (depending on location). 60-75 days is the normal incubation period for the eggs, the small babies feed primarily on small lizards and new born rodents.

In the majority of it's range the Milk Snake will spend several winter months in a state of hibernation. The further north in the animals range the snake is found the longer the period of hibernation. The Milk Snake will stop feeding several weeks prior to the onset of late fall and will seek shelter in a suitable place such as the rotted stump of a large tree.

In the extreme southern portions of the Milk Snakes range, the animal will emerge periodically on warm days to enjoy the warmth of the sun and return to it's hibernaculum.

Status in Wild: Numbers are stable in most parts of range, loss of habitat represents one of the greatest risks to the species. Feral cats take an unusually high number of these defenseless snakes. Humans kill an unusually high number of these shy snakes as they are often mistaken for the Coral Snake.

California King

Range: California, U.S.A

Habitat: Desert as well as lightly forested habitats, can often be encountered near permanent bodies of water.

Natural Diet: Small mammals, Snakes, Lizards and occasionally fish.

Diet at RainForest: Small pre-killed rodents

Size: 48-60" Females tend to be slightly larger than males.

RainForest Facts: The California King snake is a highly variable snake, color patterns include banding, and stripping. Numerous unusual and aberrant color variations have been produced by pet keepers. The female king snake deposits 6-12 leathery eggs in the late spring or early summer. The normal incubation period for California King snake eggs is 60-75 days depending on temperature.

The name "Kingsnake" is derived from the fact that this species will eat other snakes making it the King of snakes. This use of a common name is similar to the King Cobra who derives his name from the same habit of consuming other snakes. The North American King Snakes are immune to the venom of our Rattlesnakes and Copperheads which often wind up on the dinner menu for this species.

Status in Wild: Declining numbers in the wild due to over collection, primarily for the pet trade, as well as habitat destruction. A low reproductive rate contributes to the decline of this and other snake species that are over collected for the pet trade.

Massive numbers of this snake species are kept as pets. It is estimated by some that there are more California King snakes in captivity than in the wild. Captive breeding programs have largely replaced the need for wild caught animals.

Pressure still does exist for the pet trade however as professional breeders wish to secure "new" bloodlines by collecting wild animals. Regulations are helping alleviate the pressure on wild populations.

Corn Snake Home Up Pet Corn Snake

Range: South Eastern United States

Habitat: Highly variable habitat. Prefers living near source of fresh water.

Natural Diet: Small mammals, birds

Diet at RainForest: Small pre-killed rodents

Size: 48-60"

RainForest Facts: A medium sized constrictor, the Red rat or Corn snake belongs to one of the largest snake families on earth, the colubrids. Several rat snake relatives live in the United States.

Their belly has a black and white checkerboard pattern that resembles Indian corn; for this reason, this type of snake is often called a corn snake.

The Red rat, or Corn Snake is a frequently seen visitor to many rural farm settings. This highly adaptable snake is a voracious consumer of rodents often found in the rural farm setting. An adept climber, the Corn snake will climb vertically up tree trunks to gain access to the bird nests found there. The color pattern of corn snakes is highly variable based on geographical location.

Due to their reddish-orange coloration, Corn Snakes are often killed because people mistake them for the copperhead, a venomous species found in much of the Corn Snakes natural range. Corn Snakes, as well as copperheads, are actually beneficial predators of rodents and in turn are important food items for many other animals.

Corn Snake Eggs laid in Moss

The average clutch of Corn Snake eggs numbers 6-12. Incubation period is generally 60-75 days. Baby corn snakes slit their eggs using an "egg tooth" that falls off after 5 or 6 days.

If disturbed in the wild they often strike repeatedly at the intruder while vibrating their tail. In dry leaves, the vibrating of the tail may resemble the buzz of a rattlesnake, fooling some predators in to leaving them alone.

Unfortunately this same buzzing often convinces people they have encountered a Rattlesnake resulting in the unwarranted death of many a Corn Snake. Corn Snakes prefer habitats such as overgrown fields, forest openings, and abandoned or seldom used buildings where their favorite food of mice and other small rodents is abundant. This species adapts quite well to human farming areas.

Female Corn snakes lay up to 20 eggs per clutch, the average is 12. 60-75 days of incubation produces hatchlings capable of eating new born mice. In captivity this and other species of North American colubrids are allowed to cool down in the winter months, often to temperatures in the 50's. This cooling period actually triggers the breeding response when the animals are warmed back up to 80-85 degrees.

One of the most frequently kept pet snakes the corn snake adapts quite well to life in captivity. Literally tens of thousands are hatched annually in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Status in Wild: Declining numbers due to over collection, primarily for the pet trade, as well as habitat destruction. Automobiles also account for a high rate of mortality as the corn snake crosses roads.