Boa constrictor
A large, nonvenomous snake native to Central and South America. It kills prey by constriction and gives birth to live young.
Constrictor: An animal that subdues prey by squeezing it, rather than using venom or a sharp bite. Boa constrictors kill by tightening coils around prey and restricting blood flow.
Boidae: A family of nonvenomous snakes that includes boas and several related lineages. Boa constrictors belong to this family of muscular, prey-constricting snakes.
Captive breeding: The managed reproduction of animals in controlled settings, often to support conservation or maintain populations. Captive breeding produces boas for legal collections and can reduce pressure on wild populations.
Green anaconda: A massive semiaquatic South American boa known for its exceptional girth and aquatic habits. It is a close relative that contrasts with the boa constrictor’s more terrestrial habits.
Boa constrictor occidentalis: A large boa subspecies from southern South America, including parts of Argentina and Paraguay. This southern form occupies a cooler, more seasonal region than many other boas.
Snake locomotion: The ways snakes move without limbs, including lateral undulation, rectilinear movement, and concertina motion. Muscular waves let boas travel across ground, climb, and maneuver while holding prey.
Squamata: The reptile order comprising snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenians. Boas are snakes within this diverse order of scaled reptiles.
Herpetoculture: The keeping and breeding of reptiles and amphibians in captivity. Boa constrictors are commonly kept in herpetoculture, requiring secure enclosures and controlled conditions.
Reticulated python: A very long python native to South and Southeast Asia that kills prey by constriction. Like boas, it constricts prey, but it belongs to a separate snake family and region.
Boa constrictor amarali: A boa subspecies described from central South America, especially Brazil and neighboring regions. Its geographic form illustrates variation traditionally recognized within the boa constrictor complex.