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246 Featured Specimen
Emerald tree boa

Details

Emerald tree boa

Corallus caninus

Size
1.2–2 m · 0.5–1.5 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
10-40 years

The emerald tree boa is an arboreal snake of Neotropical forest. Listed here as diurnal and solitary, it coils on branches and waits for prey.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses tropical rainforest and humid forest from lower branches into the canopy. Complex branches and routes used by small animals are important.

Appearance

Length is about 120-200 cm and weight about 500-1500 g. Adults are vivid green with white markings, while young may be red or orange.

Behavior

It rests coiled over a branch with the head hanging below, ready to strike at passing prey. Individuals are solitary and seldom need to descend.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, taking small mammals, birds, and lizards. Sharp teeth seize prey, which is then constricted and swallowed.

Reproduction

It bears live young rather than laying eggs. Juveniles grow while hiding among slender branches and low vegetation.

Notes

Its status is listed as Least Concern. Famous for its color, it depends in the wild on connected forest and arboreal prey.