![]() ![]() In addition, even in the eastern U.S., identifying snakes based on their behavior rather than their anatomy is unreliable. He said species of venomous snakes common in eastern states – copperheads, cottonmouths and larger rattlesnakes – swim with their entire bodies afloat, while non-venomous snakes, including water snakes, garter snakes, and ribbon snakes, keep only their heads afloat as they swim. In other regions, swimming above water is either not a telltale sign that a snake is venomous, or it is not known, he said. However, the behavior is only known to hold true in the eastern region of the U.S., said Harry Greene, emeritus professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University, who has studied snakes throughout his career. ![]() The post describes a general distinction between the way in which venomous and non-venomous snakes swim. Distinction only known to apply to eastern U.S. USA TODAY reached out to the poster for comment. ![]() The user made the post on in the "Cleveland County Animal Control, Ethical and Legal" Facebook group, which states it is not affiliated with or part of any official county organization.Įxperts say that there is no universal key to distinguishing a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake. The June 4 post says venomous snakes, such as the copperhead, swim in water with their entire bodies visible on the surface, while non-venomous water snakes submerge most of their bodies and keep only their heads above water. Nevertheless, fear of snakes is one of the most common phobias in the U.S. That might explain why 1,700 users shared a Facebook post that claimed to have an easy way to tell the difference between snakes that have venom and those that don't – a way that turns out to be unreliable. Fewer than one in every 37,500 Americans are bitten by snakes each year. They are left on their own from the moment of birth.īoa constrictor can survive from 20 to 30 years in the wild.Watch Video: Poisonous snakes: most venomous fangs in America The claim: You can tell whether a snake is venomous by how it swimsĪmericans are nine times more likely to die from being struck by lightning than from a venomous snakebite, according to the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Young boa constrictors are born with instinct to hunt. She can deliver up to 60 babies at a time. Winner gets opportunity to mate.įemale gives birth to live babies. Before mating, group of males wrestle to determine which one is the most dominant. When female is ready for mating, she releases specific odor to inform nearby males. Mating season lasts from April to August. After catching of the prey using the teeth, boa envelops the victim and squeezes the life out of it. Since boa is excellent hunter, indigenous people of South America use boa to eradicate pest, such as rodents.īoa constrictor is an ambush predator (it hunts the prey using the factor of surprise). When they reach adult size, they start to hunt and eat larger prey, such as monkeys, wild boars and deer. While they are young, boa constrictors eat smaller prey, like rats, mice and squirrels. It moves slowly, at the speed of only 1 mile per hour.īoa constrictor is a carnivore (meat-eater). Boa is also excellent swimmer, but it does not prefer life in the water.īoa constrictor is mostly terrestrial animal (lives on the ground). It spends part of its life in dense treetops. Taste of smell is located on tongue.īoa constrictor is nocturnal animal (active during the night).īoa constrictor can easily climb the tree. Other than that, boa uses taste of smell to find its victim. Teeth are used for catching of the prey.īoa constrictor has heat receptors that are used for detection of the warm-blooded prey. Color and body prints depend on the habitat (they provide camouflage).īoa constrictor has hooked teeth. It is covered with lines, circles, diamond-like or oval shapes. Boa weighs more than 100 pounds.īody of boa constrictor can be tan, yellow, red, pinkish or green in color. Boa is 2 feet long at birth, but it can grow to the length of 10-13 feet. They are placed on the list of endangered animals today.īoa constrictor is a large snake. High demand for boa's skin in the past resulted in reduced number of boas in the wild. ![]() Boa constrictor is known as one of the most beautiful snakes because of its colorful skin with interesting prints. It can also survive at different altitudes. Boa constrictor lives in variety of habitats: deserts, tropical rainforests, savannas and areas near human settlements. It can be found in South and Central America. Boa constrictor is a close relative of anaconda. ![]()
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