About Boas from Mexico (Boa constrictor imperator)

Habitat for Boa in Mexico includes desert and semi-desert scrub, coastal mangrove swamps, tropical and sub-tropical forest and cloud-forest and remnant northern boreal forest which persist in sky islands above the deserts in the north of the country, at altitudes of sea level to around 5000’ above sea level. The subtle variety in color and pattern of Mexican imperator may confuse locality-oriented keepers and breeders and make locality of origin nearly impossible to accurately determine from casual observation alone.

A general description of Mexico boas could be; a small to moderately large Boa from 1 to about 2.6 meters in length. Mexican boas are generally more heavily patterned than many localities of Boa, or have a high pattern density (HPD) and are marked with well-defined, heavy black or dark-brown dorsal saddles numbering 24-31. Dorsal saddles usually have numerous inclusions and are connected in a continuous or near continuous line. Background color can be tan, chocolate, orange, grey, charcoal, silver or any combination of those colors. Tail or caudal markings vary from entirely black, brown or orange to brick and only sometimes a dull red.

For evolutionary reasons we will likely never understand practically all boas from Mexico will at some time display a startling and imposing defensive behaviour. This display consists of a tightening and bowing of the body, rearing and/or flattening of the head and coiling or writhing of the tail. If these warning signs are ignored the boa will usually take in a body-full of air and emit a loud hissing sound from the epi-glottis equal to the very best any bullsnake or pinesnake can deliver. If this performance still fails to make the threat go away, they will strike. A patient keeper, proper caging and gentle handling will usually result in a very handleable if not completely docile pet.