#Boa constrictor snake picture skin

The genus name derives from the Greek word 'Titan' in addition to Boa, the type genus of the family Boidae. The snake elements were described as those of a novel, giant boid snake that they named Titanoboa cerrejonensis. The fossils were then transported to the Florida Museum of Natural History, where they were studied and described by an international team of Canadian, American, and Panamanian scientists in 2009 led by Jason J. Before this discovery, few fossils of Paleocene-epoch vertebrates had been found in ancient tropical environments of South America. These were found in association with other giant reptile fossils of turtles and crocodilians from the Cerrejón Formation, dating to the mid- late Paleocene epoch (around 60-58 mya), a period just after the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. The expedition lasted until 2004, during which the fossils of Titanoboa were mistakenly labeled as those of crocodiles. More fossils were unearthed over the course of the expedition, eventually totaling 186 fossils from 30 individuals. In 2002, during an expedition to the coal mines of Cerrejón in La Guajira launched by the University of Florida and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, large thoracic vertebrae and ribs were unearthed by the students Jonathon Bloch and Carlos Jaramillo. Main articles: Cerrejón Formation and Cerrejón Although originally thought to be an apex predator, the discovery of skull bones revealed that it was more than likely specialized in preying on fish. Its vertebrae are very robust and wide, with a pentagonal shape in anterior view, as in other members of Boinae. Titanoboa evolved following the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs, being one of the largest reptiles to evolve after the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction event. The discovery of Titanoboa cerrejonensis supplanted the previous record holder, Gigantophis garstini, which is known from the Eocene of Egypt. Titanoboa is in the subfamily Boinae, being most closely related to other extant boines from Madagascar and the Pacific. It was originally known only from thoracic vertebrae and ribs, but later expeditions collected parts of the skull and teeth. It was named and described in 2009 as Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the largest snake ever found.

Titanoboa was first discovered in the 2000s by students from the University of Florida and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, who recovered 186 fossils of Titanoboa from La Guajira. 'titanic boa') is an extinct genus of giant boid, the family that includes all boas and anacondas, snake that lived in what is now La Guajira in northeastern Colombia during the middle and late Paleocene. The boa first strikes at the prey, grabbing it with its teeth it then proceeds to constrict the prey until death before consuming it whole.Titanoboa ( / ˌ t aɪ t ə n ə ˈ b oʊ ə/ lit. However, they do hunt, particularly in regions with a low concentration of suitable prey, and hunting generally occurs at night. Boa constrictors are ambush predators, so often lie in wait for an appropriate prey to come along, when they attack. It makes their eyes appear milky, blue, or opaque so that the snake cannot see very well, causing it to be more defensive than it might be otherwise.

#Boa constrictor snake picture skin

Like all snakes, Boa constrictors in a shed cycle are more unpredictable, because of the substance that lubricates between the old skin and the new one. Their bite can be painful, especially from large snakes, but is rarely dangerous to humans. These snakes strike when they perceive a threat. Boa constrictors often occupy the burrows of medium-sized mammals, where they can hide from potential predators. As semi-arboreal snakes, young Boa constrictors may climb into trees and shrubs to forage however, they become mostly terrestrial as they become older and heavier.

They are nocturnal, but they may bask during the day when night-time temperatures are too low. Boa constrictors generally live on their own and do not interact with any other snakes unless they want to mate.