DOCSLIB.ORG

The Iucn Ssc Boa & Python Specialist Group

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Iucn Ssc Boa & Python Specialist Group This Brochure was printed in FSC Certi�ied Paper OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINION AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO IUCN AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ON THE CONSERVATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS THE The Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) is a global network of volunteer experts, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). IUCN SSC BOA & PYTHON About IUCN IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world �ind pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing Bringing together scientists and experts from around and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying SPECIALISTthe world to foster conservation of boas and pythons nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scienti�ic research, manages �ield projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported GROUP by over 1,000 staff in 45 of�ices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. www.iucn.orgIUCN World Headquarters: Rue Maveurney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland The BPSG, leading authority on boas and pythons, hopes to act as a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of these species About the Species Survival Commission (SSC) OBJECTIVES The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of IUCN’s six volunteer commissions with a worldwide. global membership of around 7,500 experts. SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scienti�ic aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a Research and future for biodiversity. SSC has signi�icant input into the international agreements dealing with assessments Solutions to identi�ied biodiversity conservation. problems Fundación Biodiversidad Support to local – Argentina is the executive of�ice of the BPSG and provides the Expert opinion and livelihoods necessary operational and legal framework to the Boa & Python SG. scienti�ic advice BPSG Executive Of�ice address: Fundación Biodiversidad – Argentinabpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Trade sustainability Suipacha 1311 – 3rd Floor (C1011AAC) • Buenos Aires • Argentina and transparency Tel/Fax: +54 (11) 4515 0152 / For more information contact us: bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Follow us in This Brochure was printed in FSC Certi�ied Paper OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINION AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO IUCN AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ON THE CONSERVATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS THE The Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) is a global network of volunteer experts, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). IUCN SSC BOA & PYTHON About IUCN IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world �ind pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing Bringing together scientists and experts from around and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying SPECIALISTthe world to foster conservation of boas and pythons nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scienti�ic research, manages �ield projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported GROUP by over 1,000 staff in 45 of�ices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. www.iucn.orgIUCN World Headquarters: Rue Maveurney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland The BPSG, leading authority on boas and pythons, hopes to act as a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of these species About the Species Survival Commission (SSC) OBJECTIVES The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of IUCN’s six volunteer commissions with a worldwide. global membership of around 7,500 experts. SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scienti�ic aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a Research and future for biodiversity. SSC has signi�icant input into the international agreements dealing with assessments Solutions to identi�ied biodiversity conservation. problems Fundación Biodiversidad Support to local – Argentina is the executive of�ice of the BPSG and provides the Expert opinion and livelihoods necessary operational and legal framework to the Boa & Python SG. scienti�ic advice BPSG Executive Of�ice address: Fundación Biodiversidad – Argentinabpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Trade sustainability Suipacha 1311 – 3rd Floor (C1011AAC) • Buenos Aires • Argentina and transparency Tel/Fax: +54 (11) 4515 0152 / For more information contact us: bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Follow us in MAIN THREATS Europe BPSG REMIT Boas and pythons are widely distributed in Asia North 2 THE TRADE IN PYTHONS HOLDS OUR America 5 tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The BPSG remit includes about 186 species of ATTENTION AND MUCH OF OUR TIME However, clearcutting of forests, substitution 82 primitive snakes distributed in 12 families. of natural habitats by crops and Central America 35 True boas and pythons, families A number of charismatic boa and python species are in high infrastructure, introduced predators and and the Caribbean 15 Boidae and Pythonidae, represent demand as pets or for their skins for the fashion industry. competitors, international trade, and climate Africa 34 about half of the overall remit of For many of these species, institutions have to cope with the change, threaten their survival globally. Oceania South America 26 the group. attention of public opinion and are challenged with the elusive issue of trade sustainability and transparency. The BPSG is CONSERVATION EFFORTS actively contributing to address these concerns, particularly FOR BOAS AND with regard to the trade in South East Asian pythons. We are PYTHONS HAVE BEEN A GAP working on several projects related to wild harvest, captive SCARCE AND SCATTERED Species breeding, animal health and welfare, and the impact of this FOR A LONG TIME Distribution TO FILL trade on livelihoods, in cooperation with source countries, Boas, pythons and their allies international organizations and industry. These projects will are widely distributed in provide the data and recommendations for international CONSERVATION STATUS tropical and subtropical regions of the world organizations like CITES, government authorities and the Up to 2013 about half of the The families Boidae, representing a small private sector to begin creating systems for improved species of boas and pythons have Bolyeriidae, Loxocemidae, percentage of the ca. 3,000 monitoring of the trade in terms of sustainability, transparency been assessed by IUCN for the Pythonidae and living snake species. and animal welfare. Sustainability, Red List: one species, Bolyeria multocarinata, Tropidophiidae are all listed in Transparency from Mauritius, is considered Extinct and Appendix II of the Convention on one from the coast of Cuba, Tropidophis International Trade in Endangered Species and Livelihoods hendersoni, as Critically Endangered, while of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Some 10 12 additional species are considered either species considered threatened by CITES are Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Calabariidae Cylindrophiidae Endangered (6) or Vulnerable (6). listed in Appendix I and trade is banned. Boas and pythons may represent a threat to other wildlife species when released into the wild occasionally becoming invasive alien species. Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Xenophiidae FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES GENUS SPECIES Aniliidae 1 2 N & S America Loxocemidae 1 1 N America (Mexico) Anomochilidae 1 3 SE Asia Pythonidae 9 40 Africa/Asia/Oceania • Clear cutting of forests • Substitution of natural habitats by crops Boidae 14 52 Americas/Africa/Europe/Asia Tropidophiidae 2 23 America and infrastructure • Increasing human populations • Introduced Bolyeriidae 2 2 Mauritius / Indian Ocean Uropeltidae 6 49 Central Asia Calabariidae 1 1 Africa Xenopeltidae 1 2 Asia predators and competitors • International trade • Climate change Cylindrophiidae 1 10 Central & SE Asia Xenophiidae 1 2 SE Asia MAIN THREATS Europe BPSG REMIT Boas and pythons are widely distributed in Asia North 2 THE TRADE IN PYTHONS HOLDS OUR America 5 tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The BPSG remit includes about 186 species of ATTENTION AND MUCH OF OUR TIME However, clearcutting of forests, substitution 82 primitive snakes distributed in 12 families. of natural habitats by crops and Central America 35 True boas and pythons, families A number of charismatic boa and python species are in high infrastructure, introduced predators and and the Caribbean 15 Boidae and Pythonidae, represent demand as pets or for their skins for the fashion industry. competitors, international trade, and climate
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Species Diversity of Snakes in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
    & Herpeto gy lo lo gy o : h C it u n r r r e O Fellows, Entomol Ornithol Herpetol 2014, 4:1 n , t y R g e o l s o e Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: DOI: 10.4172/2161-0983.1000136 a m r o c t h n E ISSN: 2161-0983 Current Research ResearchCase Report Article OpenOpen Access Access Species Diversity of Snakes in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Sandeep Fellows* Asst Conservator of forest, Madhya Pradesh Forest Department (Information Technology Wing), Satpura Bhawan, Bhopal (M.P) Abstract Madhya Pradesh (MP), the central Indian state is well-renowned for reptile fauna. In particular, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) regions (Districts Hoshangabad, Betul and Chindwara) of MP comprises a vast range of reptiles, especially herpetofauna yet unexplored from the conservation point of view. Earlier inventory herpetofaunal study conducted in 2005 at MP and Chhattisgarh (CG) reported 6 snake families included 39 species. After this preliminary report, no literature existing regarding snake diversity of this region. This situation incited us to update the snake diversity of PBR regions. From 2010 to 2012, we conducted a detailed field study and recorded 31 species of 6 snake families (Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, Typhlopidea, Uropeltidae, and Viperidae) in Hoshanagbad District (Satpura Tiger Reserve) and PBR regions. Besides, we found the occurrence of Boiga forsteni and Coelognatus helena monticollaris (Colubridae), which was not previously reported in PBR region. Among the recorded, 9 species were Lower Risk – least concerned (LR-lc), 20 were of Lower Risk – near threatened (LR-nt), 1 is Endangered (EN) and 1 is vulnerable (VU) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status.
    [Show full text]
  • (2007) a Photographic Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians Of
    A Photographic Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Dominica, West Indies Kristen Alexander Texas A&M University Dominica Study Abroad 2007 Dr. James Woolley Dr. Robert Wharton Abstract: A photographic reference is provided to the 21 reptiles and 4 amphibians reported from the island of Dominica. Descriptions and distribution data are provided for each species observed during this study. For those species that were not captured, a brief description compiled from various sources is included. Introduction: The island of Dominica is located in the Lesser Antilles and is one of the largest Eastern Caribbean islands at 45 km long and 16 km at its widest point (Malhotra and Thorpe, 1999). It is very mountainous which results in extremely varied distribution of habitats on the island ranging from elfin forest in the highest elevations, to rainforest in the mountains, to dry forest near the coast. The greatest density of reptiles is known to occur in these dry coastal areas (Evans and James, 1997). Dominica is home to 4 amphibian species and 21 (previously 20) reptile species. Five of these are endemic to the Lesser Antilles and 4 are endemic to the island of Dominica itself (Evans and James, 1997). The addition of Anolis cristatellus to species lists of Dominica has made many guides and species lists outdated. Evans and James (1997) provides a brief description of many of the species and their habitats, but this booklet is inadequate for easy, accurate identification. Previous student projects have documented the reptiles and amphibians of Dominica (Quick, 2001), but there is no good source for students to refer to for identification of these species.
    [Show full text]
  • Liasis Fuscus) in Tropical Australia
    University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science - Papers (Archive) Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health 1-1-2009 Spatial ecology of hatchling water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in tropical Australia Richard Shine University of Sydney Thomas R. Madsen University of Wollongong, [email protected] Ligia Pizzatto University of Sydney Gregory P. Brown University of Sydney Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/scipapers Part of the Life Sciences Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Shine, Richard; Madsen, Thomas R.; Pizzatto, Ligia; and Brown, Gregory P.: Spatial ecology of hatchling water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in tropical Australia 2009, 181-191. https://ro.uow.edu.au/scipapers/380 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Spatial ecology of hatchling water pythons (Liasis fuscus) in tropical Australia Abstract Young snakes are rarely seen in the field and little is known about their habits. mostly because they are too small for radio-telemetry (the primary method for Studying snake spatial ecology). However, the offspring or some larger species can be fitted with transmitters and we investigated the spatial ecology and habitat use of ten hatchling water pythons (Liasis fuscus: Pythonidae) in the floodplain of the Adelaide River, tropical Australia. Patterns of habitat use in the late wet season and during the dry season were similar to those of adults tracked in the same vicinity in an earlier study. Soon after release the young snakes moved to the floodplain, va oiding pasture areas.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sclerotic Ring: Evolutionary Trends in Squamates
    The sclerotic ring: Evolutionary trends in squamates by Jade Atkins A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Science July, 2014, Halifax Nova Scotia © Jade Atkins, 2014 Approved: Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal Supervisor Approved: Dr. Matthew Vickaryous External Examiner Approved: Dr. Tim Fedak Supervisory Committee Member Approved: Dr. Ron Russell Supervisory Committee Member Submitted: July 30, 2014 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my family, friends, and mentors who helped me get to where I am today. Thank you. ! ii Table of Contents Title page ........................................................................................................................ i Dedication ...................................................................................................................... ii List of figures ................................................................................................................. v List of tables ................................................................................................................ vii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... x List of abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................ xi Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Opinion No. 82-811
    TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL State of California JOHN K. VAN DE KAMP Attorney General _________________________ : OPINION : No. 82-811 : of : APRI 28, 1983 : JOHN K. VAN DE KAMP : Attorney General : : JOHN T. MURPHY : Deputy Attorney General : : ________________________________________________________________________ THE HONORABLE ROBERT W. NAYLOR, A MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: Does "python" as used in Penal Code section 653o to identify an endangered snake include "anaconda"? CONCLUSION As used in Penal Code section 653o to identify an endangered snake, "python" does not include "anaconda." 1 82-811 ANALYSIS Penal Code section 653o, subd. (a), provides as follows: "It is unlawful to import into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of any alligator, crocodile, polar bear, leopard, ocelot, tiger, cheetah, jaguar, sable antelope, wolf (Canis lupus), zebra, whale, cobra, python, sea turtle, colobus monkey, kangaroo, vicuna, sea otter, free-roaming feral horse, dolphin or porpoise (Delphinidae), Spanish lynx, or elephant." "Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed six months, or both such fine and imprisonment, for each violation." (Emphasis added.) We are asked whether or not the term "python" in this statute includes "anaconda." Section 653o was enacted in 1970 (Stats.
    [Show full text]
  • RETICULATED PYTHON Malayopython Reticulatus (SCHNEIDER 1801) : RESCUE, RECOVERY and RECENT SIGHTINGS from GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND-A CONSERVATION APPROACH
    ECOPRINT 22: 50-55, 2015 ISSN 1024-8668 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v22i0.15470 Ecological Society (ECOS), Nepal www.nepjol.info/index.php/eco; www.ecosnepal.com RETICULATED PYTHON Malayopython reticulatus (SCHNEIDER 1801) : RESCUE, RECOVERY AND RECENT SIGHTINGS FROM GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND-A CONSERVATION APPROACH S. Rajeshkumar 1*, C. Raghunathan 1 and Kailash Chandra 2 1Zoological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre Port Blair-744 102, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India 2Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkatta-700 053, India *Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Previously the Reticulated python was recorded by few researchers from Nicobar Islands In 2006, four individuals were observed, but there was no more information added in their literature about sightings in Great Nicobar Island. Pythons were considered as an uncommon and rare encountered species in India also to the Nicobar Islands. Pythons considered relatively rare appearance to have declined due to frequent eradication by habitat destruction On 25 th August 2013, first individual of reticulated python was caught by the local people at Govind Nagar (Lat: 07° 00.074' N, Long: 093° 54.128' E, Altitude at 49.4 meter) in Great Nicobar Island The second one was rescued on 31 st August 2013 in the same area by the local people. Both the recovered individuals were appeared as juvenile. Investigations on population census of this threatened species and their habitat have been felt from the present incidences. Key words : .................................... INTRODUCTION as Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider 1801). Snakes are perhaps one of the most difficult Python is locally (in Nicobarese) called as vertebrate groups to survey (Groombridge and ‘Yammai’ or ‘Tulanth’ (Chandi 2006) and Luxmoore 1991).
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence for Range Maintenance and Homing in a New World Elapid, The
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/092833; this version posted December 9, 2016. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. Evidence for Philopatry and Homing in a New World Elapid Snake Alexander S. Hall1, Abigail M. K. Vázquez-Quinto2, Antonio Ramírez-Velázquez2, Eric N. Smith1 1 Department of Biology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. E- mail: [email protected], [email protected] 2 Zoológico Regional Miguel Álvarez del Toro, Calzada Cerro Hueco, Col Zapotal, C. P. 29094, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Short running title: Homing elapid bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/092833; this version posted December 9, 2016. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. Homing elapid 2 Abstract Animal navigation allows individuals to efficiently find and use best available habitats. Despite the long history of research into well-studied taxa (e.g., pigeons, salmon, sea turtles), we know relatively little about squamate navigational abilities. Among snakes, documented philopatry (range maintenance) in a non-colubrid species has been rare. In this study, we document the first example of philopatry and homing in a new world elapid snake, Micrurus apiatus.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network ISSN 2230-7079 No.15 | January 2013 Date of Publication: 22 January 2013 1
    Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network No.15 | January 2013 ISSN 2230-7079 Date of publication: 22 January 2013 1. Crocodile, 1. 2. Crocodile, Caiman, 3. Gharial, 4.Common Chameleon, 5. Chameleon, 9. Chameleon, Flap-necked 8. Chameleon Flying 7. Gecko, Dragon, Ptychozoon Chamaeleo sp. Fischer’s 10 dilepsis, 6. &11. Jackson’s Frill-necked 21. Stump-tailed Skink, 20. Gila Monster, Lizard, Green Iguana, 19. European Iguana, 18. Rhinoceros Antillean Basilisk, Iguana, 17. Lesser 16. Green 15. Common Lizard, 14. Horned Devil, Thorny 13. 12. Uromastyx, Lizard, 34. Eastern Tortoise, 33. 32. Rattlesnake Indian Star cerastes, 22. 31. Boa,Cerastes 23. Python, 25. 24. 30. viper, Ahaetulla Grass Rhinoceros nasuta Snake, 29. 26. 27. Asp, Indian Naja Snake, 28. Cobra, haje, Grater African 46. Ceratophrys, Bombina,45. 44. Toad, 43. Bullfrog, 42. Frog, Common 41. Turtle, Sea Loggerhead 40. Trionychidae, 39. mata Mata 38. Turtle, Snake-necked Argentine 37. Emydidae, 36. Tortoise, Galapagos 35. Turtle, Box 48. Marbled Newt Newt, Crested 47. Great Salamander, Fire Reptiles, illustration by Adolphe Millot. Source: Nouveau Larousse Illustré, edited by Claude Augé, published in Paris by Librarie Larousse 1897-1904, this illustration from vol. 7 p. 263 7 p. vol. from 1897-1904, this illustration Larousse Librarie by published in Paris Augé, Claude by edited Illustré, Larousse Nouveau Source: Millot. Adolphe by illustration Reptiles, www.zoosprint.org/Newsletters/ReptileRap.htm OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD REPTILE RAP #15, January 2013 Contents A new record of the Cochin Forest Cane Turtle Vijayachelys silvatica (Henderson, 1912) from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India Arun Kanagavel, 3–6pp New Record of Elliot’s Shieldtail (Gray, 1858) in Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India M.
    [Show full text]
  • Cfreptiles & Amphibians
    WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS IRCF REPTILES • VOL15, & NAMPHIBIANSO 4 • DEC 2008 •189 22(3):102–105 • SEP 2015 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES Range. ChasingExtension Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi ) inand Wisconsin: Geographic Distribution On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 . The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada: RecordA Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................ for the Burmese Python,Robert W. Henderson 198 RESEARCHPython ARTICLES bivittatus Kuhl 1820 . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 . The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida (Reptilia: ............................................. Pythonidae)Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, in Kevin M.Northwestern Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 India CONSERVATION ALERT Ritesh Joshi1 and Abhishek Singh2 . World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 1Conservation. More & Survey Than Mammals Division, .....................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Boa Constrictor Latin Name
    Common name :- Boa Constrictor Latin name :- Boa constrictor spp Size :- Average 6'- 8' Distribution :- Central and South America Natural habitat :- Rain forests and wooded areas. Description :- A chunky constrictor variable in colour, usually with tan or brown saddles on the body and often with an orange or red tail. Enclosure size :- The smallest vivarium we would recommend for one small adult boa would be 4'x 18"x 18". Multiple boas or large specimens may well require a enclosure up to 6'x 2' x 2'. Heating and temperature :- An air type heater is important for boas, for example a red bulb, ceramic heater, power plate or tubular heater all of which should ideally be connected with a thermostat. All of these heat sources MUST be guarded to protect the snake from burns. Heat mats can cause problems if used incorrectly with these animals, although they may be used in certain circumstances, but please ask for information. Hot spot temperature should be 35c / 95f, Humidity :- Standard household humidity in the UK is approximately 50% which is suitable for these snakes, When shedding a light spray daily will assist. Substrate and decoration :- We would suggest bark chip as a substrate as this helps to maintain some humidity, is easy to spot clean and is very aesthetically pleasing. Other decoration can include sturdy branches and large pieces of cork bark as retreats, plastic plants can be used to improve the visual effect. Feeding and supplements :- Whole rodents, usually mice for babies, rats for larger boas and possibly rabbits for larger boas are ideal food.
    [Show full text]
  • A Taxonomic Framework for Typhlopid Snakes from the Caribbean and Other Regions (Reptilia, Squamata)
    caribbean herpetology article A taxonomic framework for typhlopid snakes from the Caribbean and other regions (Reptilia, Squamata) S. Blair Hedges1,*, Angela B. Marion1, Kelly M. Lipp1,2, Julie Marin3,4, and Nicolas Vidal3 1Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-5301, USA. 2Current address: School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. 3Département Systématique et Evolution, UMR 7138, C.P. 26, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, F-75231 Paris cedex 05, France. 4Current address: Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-5301 USA. *Corresponding author ([email protected]) Article registration: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:47191405-862B-4FB6-8A28-29AB7E25FBDD Edited by: Robert W. Henderson. Date of publication: 17 January 2014. Citation: Hedges SB, Marion AB, Lipp KM, Marin J, Vidal N. 2014. A taxonomic framework for typhlopid snakes from the Caribbean and other regions (Reptilia, Squamata). Caribbean Herpetology 49:1–61. Abstract The evolutionary history and taxonomy of worm-like snakes (scolecophidians) continues to be refined as new molec- ular data are gathered and analyzed. Here we present additional evidence on the phylogeny of these snakes, from morphological data and 489 new DNA sequences, and propose a new taxonomic framework for the family Typhlopi- dae. Of 257 named species of typhlopid snakes, 92 are now placed in molecular phylogenies along with 60 addition- al species yet to be described. Afrotyphlopinae subfam. nov. is distributed almost exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa and contains three genera: Afrotyphlops, Letheobia, and Rhinotyphlops. Asiatyphlopinae subfam. nov. is distributed in Asia, Australasia, and islands of the western and southern Pacific, and includes ten genera:Acutotyphlops, Anilios, Asiatyphlops gen.
    [Show full text]
  • Aspidites Melanocephalus) in the Wild
    Northern Territory Naturalist (2019) 29: 37-39 Short Note An observation of excavating behaviour by a Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus) in the wild Gerry Swan1 and Christy Harvey2 12 Acron Road, St Ives, NSW 2075, Australia Email: [email protected] 216 Fleetwood Cres, Frankston South, VIC 3199, Australia Abstract The Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus) and the Woma (Aspidites ramsayi) have both been reported as carrying out burrowing or excavating behaviour. These reports have been based mainly on observations of captive individuals, with the only observations of specimens in the wild being those of Bruton (2013) on Womas. Here we report on a Black-headed Python scooping out sand with its head and fore-body to create a depression in the wild. The pythonid genus Aspidites has been reported as exhibiting burrowing behaviour (Ross & Marzec 1990; Ehmann 1993; Barker & Barker 1994), based mainly on the report by Murphy, Lamoreaux & Barker (1981) that four captive Black-headed Pythons (A. melanocephalus) excavated gravel by using their head and neck to scoop loose material and create a cavity. O’Brien & Naylor (1987) reported that a young specimen that had been recently removed from the wild and was being held pending release, was observed digging beneath rocks and logs, ultimately creating a cavity in which it concealed itself. Fyfe & Harvey (1981) recorded similar behaviour by six captive Womas (Aspidites ramsayi). The floor of the vivaria in which they were housed was covered with 5–15 cm of sand and the pythons scooped this out in large quantities until they reached the base of the vivarium.
    [Show full text]