Rosy boa  (Charina trivirgata)

The rosy boa is an attractive snake, usually noted for its pattern of three wide, black, brown, reddish-brown or orange stripes that run along the body (4) (5). The exact colouration varies between the four recognised subspecies: the coastal rosy boa (Charina trivirgata roseofusca), the desert rosy boa (Charina trivirgata gracia), the mid-Baja rosy boa (Charina trivirgata saslowi) and the Mexican rosy boa (Charina trivirgata trivirgata) (6). The coastal rosy boa generally has pale rose, deep tan or orange uneven stripes with almost ragged edges against a grey background. The desert rosy boa also has a grey background, but with brown to russet stripes (6). The mid-Baja rosy boa has well-defined orange to russet stripes against a steal grey colour, while the Mexican rosy boa, the darkest of the four races, has chocolate to nearly black stripes that contrast greatly with the cream to pale tan background (6).

The body of the rosy boa is covered with smooth, shiny scales, and the eyes are small, with vertical pupils (2). The head is slightly larger than the neck, and the fairly long, thick tail comes to a blunt point. Two small claw-like spurs at the base of the tail are vestigial legs, a feature retained from its lizard ancestor (2).