Dumeril's Boa

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iDumeril's Boa

Dumeril's Boa Acrantophis dumerili

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Genus:	Acrantophis
Species:	A. dumerili

Binomial name

Acrantophis dumerili
Jan, 1860

The Dumeril's Boa (Acrantophis dumerili) is a moderate sized species boa endemic to the island of Madagascar.

1 Description
2 Behavior
3 Habitat
4 Reproduction
5 Conservation status
6 In captivity
7 References

[edit] Description

The Dumeril's boa is a gray-brown ground color with darker patches, which serve as excellent camouflage against the leaf litter of the forest floor of their native habitat.

Males usually have longer flatter tails, while females are generally larger overall, with most adults reaching around 6-7 feet, though larger is not unknown.

[edit] Behavior

Dumeril's boas are nocturnal carnivores. Their diet consists of small animals, such as birds, lizards, and small mammals. They subdue their prey by constriction.

[edit] Habitat

Found along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar, it is a semi-arid habitat that gets fairly low amounts of rainfall. Along with many other species of animals, these boas are in danger of extinction if deforestation continues at its current rate.

[edit] Reproduction

Sexual maturity is reached between 3 and 5 years of age. Males have anal spurs, which are used in courtship. Their mating season is March through May. Males have two hemipenes. They are ovoviviparous, giving birth to a litter numbering 6-28 babies, each measuring 12-18 inches, 6 to 8 months after mating.

[edit] Conservation status

The Dumeril's boa is listed as Vulnerable, by the IUCN, and is listed as CITES Appendix I, which puts strict limits on its exportation from Madagascar.

[edit] In captivity

Dumeril's boas were once exported from Madagascar in great numbers, but have since been heavily restricted. They are quite prolific in captivity though, and captive bred animals are relatively inexpensive and easy to find in the exotic pet trade. Though their size makes them more suited to someone experienced with large constrictors, they have a typically docile nature, and readily feed on a diet of commercially available rats. Their main concern is that they are prone to stress, which can sometimes make them go off feed or contribute to other health issues.