Description
Like its name suggests, the Rubber Boa looks rubbery.
It is a uniform olive-green, reddish-brown, or brown. The Rubber
Boa has a blunt tail, making it vaguely look like it has a head at
each end. The eyes have vertical pupils. The Rubber Boa can grow
to over 80 cm in total length.
Confusing Species
There are two other unpatterned snakes in British
Columbia: the Racer and the Sharptail Snake. In BC, the Racer is greenish
to brown, but the belly is always yellow. It also has a long thin
tail. The Sharptail Snake is reddish brown to gray and has a
series of black and white crossbars on the belly.
Distribution
The Rubber Boa is found across much of southern BC
along the US border and farther north in the centre of the
province. To the south the snake ranges across the northwestern
US, as far south as northern California.
Habitat
The Rubber Boa is found in a variety of habitats from
damp woodlands to coniferous forests. It is also found in moist
sandy areas along rocky streams. It prefers loose soil, because it
will burrow into the ground.
Reproduction
Little is know of the mating habits of the Rubber Boa.
Females give birth to 2-8 young in late summer. The juveniles are
almost 18 cm long at birth.
Natural history
The Rubber Boa is active at dusk and at night. It is
a constrictor, preying on small mammals and birds. With its
prehensile tail it can climb shrubs and small trees. Much of its
time is spent under ground, either burrowing or using the burrows
of other animals. If threatened the Rubber Boa will often roll up
into a ball, hiding its head and raising its tail, which can appear
like a head.
Conservation Concerns
Rubber Boas are relatively widespread in BC but they
are not overly abundant. It is unclear if populations have
declined in recent years as a result of human activities or whether
they are naturally uncommon at the northern limit of their
distribution.
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