Sasquatch Wallows Rubber Boa Field Guide

Charina bottae Identification

Rubber boas are a non-venomous, stout-bodied of belonging to family, found in the Western • 18 – 26 inches United States and , Canada. They are one of the smallest members of the boa family, which includes • 1 – 3 ounces anacondas. • Dark brown to tan The rubber boa is nocturnal and crepuscular, and sometimes active in daylight. They can be active in weather that would be • Yellow ventral side too cold for most , such as when surface temperatures are in the 50s. • Born pink Rubber boas spend a large amount of time under shelter (rocks, logs, leaf litter, burrows, etc.) and thus must live in habitats that can provide this, as well as adequate warmth, moisture, and prey.

Their home range is only 50 – 200 square yards.

Ophidiophobia

Rubber boas are renowned as one of the most friendly species of Natural Prey snakes in the world. They are Rubber boas prey on young often used therapeutically to help 0 nestling (, , people conquer an irrational fear deer mice, etc.). When nestling of snakes (ophidiophobia). The number of rodents are encountered, they will eat the entire litter if possible, Believe it or not, this is one of the deflecting any attacks from the only snakes in which there has people bitten by mother with their blunt never been a recorded strike or tail. Adults often have extensive bite on a human. rubber boas. scarring on their tails.

Predators Life Span

In 1971 a female rubber boa, RAAB Mill • Racoons Site Female #1, was found, surveyed and released. She was found repeatedly, until • finally kept and retained in captivity. At • of Prey the time of her retention, she was a minimum of 15 years old and likely more • Bobcats than 20+ years old. She finally died in June 2006 at a ripe old age of 50+. • Cougars

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