Epicrates cenchria maurus
Encyclopedia
Epicrates cenchria maurus is a subspecies of Epicrates cenchria, in the family of Boinae
, found in Amazon region of South America
. Common name is Colombian rainbow boa. While a terrestrial
species, with its moderate size and weight it has a semi-arboreal life. Rainbow boa's are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.
Coloring- Generally uniform brown in color with large dark edged vertebral rings, with light centers forming saddles, this may also appear as a slightly off-center 'S' pattern. Through a process of metachrosis, they have a day to night color change. Primarily noticed in that their pattern will become a lighter almost silver and have a molted silver sides and bottom. Although individuals of abnormal colors and patterns exist, for example those that exhibit pigmentation disorders
such as albinism
, they are very rare in the wild, but are often found in captivity where these mutations are often prized.
These pictures provide a good example of the Day to night color change,
both pictures are of the same snake. Pictures were taken 3.2 hours apart.
. Like most Boids, they have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their prey. While nocturnal, they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are low. They are active at dawn and dusk and feed on small mammals, birds and lizards using their heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the low light. Most rainbow boas will never need a prey item larger than a large rat, as with most snakes, rainbow boas can expand their jaw to allow the consuming of items larger than the jaw would normally open (see snake skull). Rainbow boas may bite when they feel threatened in defense. This bite can be painful, but is rarely dangerous. Care must still be taken against infection. Like all snakes, when in a shed cycle they will be more unpredictable and irritable due to the added stress of shedding and clouded sight.
" through selective breeding
. This is done by encouraging the dominant and recessive genes that code for proteins involved in chromatophore
development, maintenance, or function.
Boinae
The Boinae are a subfamily of boas found in Central and South America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Five genera comprising 28 species are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
, found in Amazon region of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Common name is Colombian rainbow boa. While a terrestrial
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
species, with its moderate size and weight it has a semi-arboreal life. Rainbow boa's are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.
Physical description
Size and weight- The colombian rainbow boa is moderate in size, 4 to 6 feet average. There is clear size differences between males and females, with females generally being significantly larger, in both length and girth, than males.Coloring- Generally uniform brown in color with large dark edged vertebral rings, with light centers forming saddles, this may also appear as a slightly off-center 'S' pattern. Through a process of metachrosis, they have a day to night color change. Primarily noticed in that their pattern will become a lighter almost silver and have a molted silver sides and bottom. Although individuals of abnormal colors and patterns exist, for example those that exhibit pigmentation disorders
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
such as albinism
Albinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect of an enzyme involved in the production of melanin...
, they are very rare in the wild, but are often found in captivity where these mutations are often prized.
These pictures provide a good example of the Day to night color change,
both pictures are of the same snake. Pictures were taken 3.2 hours apart.
Habitat
Colombian rainbow boas, the northern most rainbow species, are found in the Amazon rainforest of South America. They prefer to live in the rainforest due to the humidity and temperature, natural cover from predators and selection of potential prey. It is commonly found in or along rivers and streams and is a very capable swimmer. As semi-arboreal snakes, young rainbow boa individuals may climb into trees and shrubs to forage, however they become mostly terrestrial as they become older and heavier.Behavior
Rainbow boas, like all boas in the Baidae family, are non-venomous, that subdue their prey with constrictionConstriction
Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. Although some species of venomous and mildly-venomous snakes do use constriction to subdue their prey, most snakes which use constriction lack venom. The snake initially strikes at its prey and holds on, pulling the prey...
. Like most Boids, they have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their prey. While nocturnal, they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are low. They are active at dawn and dusk and feed on small mammals, birds and lizards using their heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the low light. Most rainbow boas will never need a prey item larger than a large rat, as with most snakes, rainbow boas can expand their jaw to allow the consuming of items larger than the jaw would normally open (see snake skull). Rainbow boas may bite when they feel threatened in defense. This bite can be painful, but is rarely dangerous. Care must still be taken against infection. Like all snakes, when in a shed cycle they will be more unpredictable and irritable due to the added stress of shedding and clouded sight.
Reproduction
Rainbow boas are solitary, associating only to mate. Boas are polygynous and ovoviviparous, thus males may mate with multiple females and give birth to live young. Females invest considerable maternal energy in their offspring since their young develop within the mother's body. The young are able to develop in a thermo-regulated, protected environment and they are provided with nutrients. Young are born fully developed and independent within minutes of birth.Captivity
This species does well in captivity despite requiring a very specific humidity and temperature habitat. They are primarily fed on mice and rats. Commonly categorized as an 'Intermediate' species by reptile distributors and breeders in the pet trade, usually becoming quite tame and should be handled regularly to maintain their docility. The species "Epicrates cenchria" and primarily the sub-species E. c. cenchria (Brazilian Rainbow) and E. c. maurus (Colombian Rainbow) are growing in popularity and are widely bred in captivity with very few being imported. Breeders are attempting to produce a variety of different color and pattern "MorphsMuller's morphs
1946 Nobel Prize winner Hermann J. Muller coined the terms amorph, hypomorph, hypermorph, antimorph and neomorph to classify mutations based on their behaviour in various genetic situations. These classifications are still widely used in Drosophila genetics to describe mutations...
" through selective breeding
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
. This is done by encouraging the dominant and recessive genes that code for proteins involved in chromatophore
Chromatophore
Chromatophores are pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells found in amphibians, fish, reptiles, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They are largely responsible for generating skin and eye colour in cold-blooded animals and are generated in the neural crest during embryonic development...
development, maintenance, or function.