Madagascar Ground Boa

About the Madagascar Ground Boa

Acrantophis madagascariensis is a species of boid snake in the subfamily Sanziniinae that is endemic to the island of Madagascar. Its common names include the Madagascar ground boa and Malagasy ground boa. This species is included in the Boidae family of snakes, subfamily Sanziniinae. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Adult females can be up to 3 m (10 ft), males are typically smaller, the average size of the population is 2.4 m (8 ft) in length. This is the largest snake species found on the island of Madagascar. Acrantophis madagascariensis, like others in the family, dispatch their prey by constriction.

The color pattern consists of a pale reddish-brown ground color mixed with gray, overlaid with a pattern of dorsal rhombs outlined with black or brown. Sometimes, this creates a vague zigzag impression. The sides are patterned with a series of black ovoid markings with reddish blotches, often bordered or centered with white.

A. madagascariensis is endemic to Madagascar, occurring in the central, northern and western parts of the island. The species usually occurs in sparse, open woodland, such as the Madagascar dry deciduous... Wikipedia →