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Dark-headed red false boa facts for kids

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Pseudoboa neuwiedii
Pseudoboa neuwiedii photographed in El Limón, (Venezuela)
Pseudoboa neuwiedii in a house in El Limón, Venezuela
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Pseudoboa
Species:
neuwiedii
Synonyms
  • Scytale neuwiedii A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Oxyrhopus neuwiedii (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
  • Olisthenes euphæus Cope, 1859
  • Rhinocheilus thominoti Bocourt, 1887
  • Pseudoboa robinsoni Stejneger, 1902

Pseudoboa neuwiedii, commonly known as the dark-headed red false boa or Neuwied's false boa, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to northern South America.

Geographic range

Pseudoboa neuwiedii is found on the mainland of South America from Colombia to The Guianas, and in Brazil along the Amazon River, as well as in Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Etymology

The specific name, neuwiedii, is in honor of German naturalist Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied.

Description

Pseudoboa neuwiedii grows to a maximum total length (including tail) of 1 m (39 in).

Dorsally, it is reddish brown, either uniform or with some scattered small black spots. The top of the head and neck are black or dark brown. There may or may not be a yellowish crossband or collar across the temples and occiput. Ventrally, it is yellowish. This snake is venomous, but due the anatomy of its teeth it has difficulty in inoculating venom, its venom is highly proteolytic and could affect the coagulation by degrading the fibrinogen.

Behavior

Pseudoboa neuwiedii is a powerful constrictor.

Diet

Pseudoboa neuwiedii feeds on any animal it can capture and subdue. Individuals have been reported to consume snakes as large as or larger than they themselves are.

Reproduction

P. neuwiedii is oviparous.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pseudoboa neuwiedii para niños

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