THE STEINHART AQUARIUM - Gulf of Guinea Science ...

216 A Docent Field Guide to the Species of the Steinhart Aquarium
killed, molested or collected.
Remarks: Venom is used more for defense than
for stunning prey. Venom is in lower jaw (vs.
in upper jaw in venomous snakes).
The two members of this family, which
also includes the Gila Monster (Heloderma
suspectum), are the only known venomous
lizards.
Their tenacious, chewing bite is potentially,
though rarely fatal to humans.
Redtail Boa aka Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictor (Boidae)
Boas
Distribution: Northern Mexico south to Central
and Northeast South America to 35° south
latitude, Lesser Antilles, Dominica, St. Lucia
and other small Caribbean islands.
Habitat: Deserts, grasslands, arid woodlands,
rainforests, also near human habitation. Primarily
terrestrial but can climb and swim well.
Active crepuscularly or nocturnally. Spends
much time arboreally. Also shelters in burrows
of agoutis, pacas and armadillos.
Appearance: Varies by subspecies. Many are
gigantic, camouflaged brown with saddle
markings. Length to 5.6 m. for mainland boas;
most are much smaller.
Diet: Primarily ambush hunters. Rodents
killed by constriction. Also consume bats,
monkeys, squirrels, agoutis, pacas, birds and
reptiles including ameivas, tegus and iguanas.
Reproduction and Development: Reproductive
in their second to fourth year. Fertilization
internal. Viviparous. 15-60 offspring per clutch
born 120-145 days after ovulation. Neonates
average 45 cm.
Mortality/Longevity: Can live to more than
25 years.
Conservation status: Not on IUCN Red List.
Seems to be holding its own.
Remarks: Capable of delivering painful bites
to humans.
Important predator of rodents.
The two currently on display were born at the
old Steinhart Aquarium.
Emerald Tree Boa
Corallus caninus (Boidae)
Boas
Distribution: South America’s Amazon basin.
Habitat: Lowland rainforest. Adults arboreal,
typically in high canopy. Juveniles live in leaf
litter.
Appearance: Length to 2 m. Adults: leafgreen
scales with white transverse markings.
Thin-bodied. Head and body heavily laterally
flattened. Neonotates in a single litter may be
green, red, yellow or a combination of these
colors. Juveniles typically have brown bodies.
Diet: Adults seize prey with long fang-like
teeth, subsequently constrict with its coils. Eat
rodents (e.g., the arboreal rice rat), monkeys,
squirrels, birds (passerines and parrots) and
bats. Juveniles may prey on lizards.
Reproduction and Development: Fertilization
internal. Live-bearing (ovoviparous). Seven-18
neonates per clutch. Offspring colored red,
orange or green; change to adult green at sexual
maturity.
Mortality/Longevity: In captivity the estimated
life span is 25 years.
Conservation Status: Locally common.
Strong prehensile tail.
The scales of the long, slender snout contain
heat-sensitive labial pits used in locating prey.
Anaconda aka Water Anaconda
Eunectes murinus (Boidae)
Boas
Distribution: South America: Amazon and
Orinoco drainages from Colombia and Venezuela
to East Bolivia and Central Brazil. Also
on Trinidad Island.
Habitat: Associated strongly with watercourses,
swamps and other freshwater locations.
Appearance: Length to 12 m. (another reference:
to 5 m.) Gigantic, heavy-bodied, dark
green boa with dark spots.
Diet: Monkeys, deer, peccaries, pacas, agoutis,
birds, fish, caiman and turtles. Prey usually
killed by constriction; prey suffocates but is
not crushed. Usually feed in water. Primarily
a lie-in-wait predator.
Reproduction and Development: Typically
during the spring a group of males will court
a receptive female, competing peacefully to
copulate. Male vibrates his vestigial hindlimbs
rapidly, rubs on the back and flanks of the
female before mating. Copulatory behavior
may last 2 hours. A receptive female orients her
cloaca toward his hemipenis. Ovoviviparous.