Brown Rainbow Boa

About the Brown Rainbow Boa

Epicrates maurus is a species of non-venomous constrictor in the family Boidae, commonly found in the Amazon region of South America. The common name for this species is the brown rainbow boa. This species is semi-arboreal, spending time both on the ground and climbing trees and shrubs, although they are also known to swim. They are nocturnal and primarily active in the middle of the night. Rainbow boas are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.

Size and weight: Epicrates maurus is the smallest of the rainbow boas, reaching lengths of 3 to 5 feet on average, although length varies by subspecies. For example, the most common subspecies in captivity is the Colombian rainbow boa (E. m. colombianus) grows to 5–6 feet long and matures between 4–6 years old. There is a clear sexual dimorphism between male and female, with females being significantly larger in both length and girth.

Coloring: Generally uniform brown in color with large dark edged vertebral rings and light centers forming saddles, there may also be a slightly off-center 'S' pattern. Through a process called metachrosis, rainbow boas exhibit a day-to-night color change... Wikipedia →