Rainbow boa

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Rainbow Boa

Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Epicrates cenchria cenchria

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Subfamily:	Boinae
Genus:	Epicrates
Species:	E. cenchria

Binomial name

Epicrates cenchria
Linnaeus, 1758

Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria) or Slender Boa, are an attractive group of terrestrial boas with currently ten recognized subspecies distributed throughout most of Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

[edit] Distribution & Habitat

The Rainbow boas are given their name due to the multicolored iridescent sheen which covers their body when seen in sunlight. They are shy and nocturnal and live by rivers, streams, lakes and swamps. The Rainbow Boa subspecies are distinguished from each other by their markings and regions, most with well established local common names. It is rare to find two species in the same locality. Sometimes other species of Epicrates are also incorrectly referred to simply as Rainbow Boas. The taxonomy of Epicrates cenchria has been a subject of disagreement and the number of subspecies will likely change in the future.

Brazilian Rainbow Boa E. cenchria cenchria is the most commonly kept and bred of the Epicrates cenchria species. They are a relatively docile snake when handeled enough. Please keep in mind that babies tend to bite.