Emerald tree boa

Emerald tree boa
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Genus:	Corallus
Species:	C. caninus
Binomial name
Corallus caninus Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
Boa canina Boa thalassina Boa hipnale Xiphosoma araramboya Xiphosoma caninum Boa exigua Chrysenis batesi

The Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus) is a species of bright green snake that lives in the rainforests of South America.

Description

Emerald tree boas are typically a shade of emerald green in color with a white irregular zigzag stripe down the back and a yellow underside. The bright coloration and markings are very distinctive among South American snakes. Juveniles are extremely variable in color, and are often orange or yellow, with irregular spotting.

Emerald tree boas have many morphological differences based on locality, enough that some herpetologists have considered whether they should be classified as subspecies. Specimens from the Amazon River basin tend to grow the largest, attaining lengths of 7-9 feet (2.1-2.7 m), while the overall average size is closer to 6 feet (1.8 m). Emerald tree boas from the southern end of their range in Peru tend to be darker in color.

It appears very similar to the green tree python (Morelia viridis), from southeast Asia and Australia, but they are only very distantly related, and are an example of convergent evolution. Physical differences include the scales on its head, and the location of the heat pits around the mouth in the boa.

Behavior

The emerald tree boa is a strictly arboreal snake, spending its days in a characteristic coil over a tree branch, and hanging down at night, ambushing prey. Its diet consists primarily of birds and small mammals. It is ovoviviparous, having up to 20 young at a time.

Geographic distribution

The emerald tree boa is found in the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, French Guiana, and Surinam.

In captivity

The emerald tree boa is readily available in the exotic pet trade, and though being frequently captive bred, wild caught specimens are still fairly common. Most specimens found for sale are imported from the northern end of the species' range. They are considered challenging to keep properly.

Gallery

• 
  Emerald tree boa at Wilmington's Serpentarium.
• 
  Emerald tree boa at Wilmington's Serpentarium.
• 
  Emerald tree boa wrapped on a branch from behind
• 
  Emerald tree boa wrapped on a branch facing forward

References

• Mattison, Chris (1999). Snake. DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-4660-X.
• Species Corallus caninus at The Reptile Database

• Corallus.com: Emerald Tree Boa

External links

• Caring for Your Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa
• Snakes of the Genus Corallus (forum)
• Emerald Tree Boa Caresheet