Rainforest boa constrictor9/8/2023 Adults normally measure 2.5 meters, although there are records of individuals reaching 5 meters. Beautiful and beneficial boasīoa constrictors are one of the biggest non-venomous snakes that exist. After measuring, weighing and recording the data on this beautiful beast, the team returned her to her forest home | Image © Diego Sanchez. Staff, volunteers, locals and visitors alike marvelled at our majestic guest. She had an overall length of 2.9 meters and weighed in at 17.5 kilograms – a big surprise since the last specimen of this species found at the MLC was a much smaller juvenile. With such a large and potentially aggressive boa, this takes expertise and experience. The next day, we carefully transferred the snake to a more open area for better control and began recording data. There’s a good reason why rubber boots are a everyday field wear in the Amazon. At the same time, fellow field staff member, Juriko, ran nearly 4km to get a suitable container for transporting the massive boa safely back to camp (no mean feat in any rainforest, especially in the rainy season!). Using a branch, senior field staff member, Christian, improvised a snake hook (used to catch snakes in a way that is safe for both the animal and people involved). This discovery was the first of its type for over five years at the MLC and so the team were eager to measure and record the snake. Our team and volunteers were amazed by the sheer size of this awesome creature | Image © Diego Sanchez. Reptiles like this boa constrictor, which prey on diverse species and are also part of the food chain for eagles and other large carnivores, are a symbol of a healthy and biodiverse environment. Our surveys allow us to better understand the exchange of energy in the forest. They help us monitor the health of the forest, which has spent the past 30 to 50 years in natural regeneration after being disturbed by agriculture and selective logging. Reptiles are one of several taxonomic groups studied at the MLC. Red-tailed Boa Constrictor discovered at the MLC | Image © Diego Sanchez. When our team of researchers noticed something strange crossing the trail en route to camp, they didn’t realise that it would be one of the most exciting recent discoveries at the MLC.Īt first, the ‘something’ seemed like a tree trunk, but when it moved suddenly and the team recognised it immediately as an immense boa constrictor: three metres of shimmering scales, ready to defend. The boa first strikes at the prey, grabbing it with its teeth it then proceeds to constrict the prey until death before consuming it whole.The Crees team records a three-metre boa constrictor: the first to be seen at our research and education hub, the Manu Learning Centre (MLC), in over five years. However, they do hunt, particularly in regions with a low concentration of suitable prey, and hunting generally occurs at night. Boa constrictors are ambush predators, so often lie in wait for an appropriate prey to come along, when they attack. It makes their eyes appear milky, blue, or opaque so that the snake cannot see very well, causing it to be more defensive than it might be otherwise. Like all snakes, Boa constrictors in a shed cycle are more unpredictable, because of the substance that lubricates between the old skin and the new one. Their bite can be painful, especially from large snakes, but is rarely dangerous to humans. These snakes strike when they perceive a threat. Boa constrictors often occupy the burrows of medium-sized mammals, where they can hide from potential predators. As semi-arboreal snakes, young Boa constrictors may climb into trees and shrubs to forage however, they become mostly terrestrial as they become older and heavier. They are nocturnal, but they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are too low. Boa constrictors generally live on their own and do not interact with any other snakes unless they want to mate.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |