- Boa constrictors are large, heavy-bodied snakes that live in rainforests and semi-deserts in Central and South America. They can grow up to 13 feet long. - They eat small rodents and ambush prey, killing with constriction before swallowing whole. Females give birth to live young in litters of 10-65. - Boa constrictors help control rodent populations but are threatened by rainforest destruction and hunting. Protecting their habitat and regulating trade can help their long-term survival.

1. Boa Constrictor Ben Potter Grade 6 Fessenden Public School

2. Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Boiade Sub-Family: Boinae Genus: Boa Species: B. Constrictor

3. Appearance no legs colouring varies arrow-shaped head with distinctive stripes 3-13 feet long heavy bodied weighing up to 60 lbs. females larger than males

4. Habitat Rainforests and semi-desert Prefers rainforests due to the humidity and temperature hollow logs or abandoned mammal burrows Mexico, Central America, South America, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean

5. Life Cycle breed in the dry season—between April and August males may mate with multiple females gestation period is approximately 100–120 days Live Young litter size varies between 10 and 65 young with an average of 25 independent at birth Baby grow rapidly for the first few years shed regularly (once every one to two months) Mature at 3-4 years Adult size Can breed Shed less often (every 2-4 months) Life Span: 20-35 years

6. Diet small rodents (rats, mice, birds, bats, lizards) 4–6 days to fully digest the food strikes at the prey, grabs it with its teeth, then constricts the prey until death before consuming it whole ambush predators and will lie in wait for prey known to actively hunt may not eat for anywhere from a week to several months

7. Predators -humans -jaguars -crocodiles

8. How Boa Constrictors contribute to the diversity of life -regulates the opossum populations preventing transmission of leishmaniasis to humans -control the rodent populations =

9. How do Humans impact the Natural Habitat of Boa Constrictors? -Rainforests being cleared for lumber and human population

10. What can be done to help Boa Constrictors survive? stopping predation from humans for shoes, bags and other items of clothing fall under CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ensure that trade does not threaten the species in the wild

11. Other Facts sense heat via cells in their lips capable swimmer often kept as an exotic pet longest recorded Boa Constrictor measured 5.5 m (18 ft) long can move in a straight line without curving the body

12. References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boa_constrictor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CITES http://www.theanimalfiles.com/reptiles/snakes/boa_constrictor.html “ Discovery Kids Snake” Kevin Fleury. Dutton Children’s Books New York 2001