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Madagascar Ground Boa Common Name: Madagascar Ground Boa Scientific Name: Boa Madagascariensis Information Sheet - Madagascar Ground Boa
Introduction:Native to the Island of Madagascar, the Madagascar Ground Boa is a non-venomous snake of the boa species. The snake, also known as Boa Madagascariensis scientifically, has no subspecies. Its common names are Malagasy Ground Boa and Madagascar Ground Boa.Description:The Malagasy Ground Boa is the largest snake on the island. Adults are normally eight feet long but some have been known to reach the ten feet in length. Females in this species are bigger than males. The color pattern on these snakes consists of grey combined with pale brown reddish ground color; the dorsal rhombs are outlined with brown or black. The pattern on the sides is usually a succession of black ovoid spots that come with reddish marks often bordering and centering on white. The patterns on this snake sometimes form zigzag impressions.Geographic range:Madagascar Ground Boas are widespread in Madagascar especially in the northern and central parts of the island.Habitat:This snake species favors warm, sparse, open woodland like Madagascar dry deciduous forests. Behavior:The Malagasy Ground Boa likes sheltering in burrows belonging to mammals, under debris piles, fallen trees and other places where they are assured of protection. The snakes hibernate during the dry and cool winter months. The snakes also shed their skins a number of times in a year.Reproduction:Male and female Madagascar Ground Boa species mate after the hibernation period is over. Several males may copulate with a single female. The females are ovoviviparous in nature and give birth to their young ones instead of laying eggs. They give birth to four to six young ones that are often larger, after a gestation period lasting four to six months. The Neonates usually measure nineteen to twenty four inches and can feed on birds and small rodents by themselves.Captivity:The Madagascar Ground Boa can be captured and kept in captivity. |
