Dumeril's boa  (Acrantophis dumerili)

Dumeril's boa, also known as the Madagascar ground boa is a striking snake that grows up to 1.8 metres in length (2). Like most members of the Boidae family, it is a fairly stout snake (4). Grey and brown bands pass along the length of the body, with black markings (2).

This snake is endemic to southwest Madagascar (2). The current numbers left in the wild are unknown (2).

Inhabits dry forests (2) but is not restricted to pristine habitats (5). It has been found living in very degraded habitats, often close to villages, where it presumably feeds on rats (5).

Dumeril's boa kills small mammals by constricting the prey in coils of its body (2). They tend to hunt at night (2) and posses heat sensitive pits around the mouth that help them to detect their prey (4). Boas give birth to live young (4).

Threats facing this species include the widespread habitat destruction that has occurred on Madagascar for agriculture or livestock grazing. In some areas, the snakes are collected for food and the skins are used for leather (5). This species is highly desirable in the pet trade and so international trade in wild specimens in banned (5).

Dumeril's boa is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and so their import to other countries is tightly controlled (5). Furthermore, it occurs in a number of nature reserves and so receives a level of protection in these areas (5). It seems, for the time being, at least, that as long as international trade is banned or at least restricted, local consumption of the species for food is unlikely to severely threaten the species (5).

For further information on Dumeril's boa see:

• TIGR Reptile Database:
  http://www.tigr.org/reptiles/families/Boidae.html
• Vences, M. and Glaw, F. (2003) Phylogeny, systematics and conservation status of boid snakes from Madagascar (Sanzinia and Acrantophis). Salamandra,39:181-206.

Authenticated (10/02/2006) by Dr. Tony Phelps, Squamate Ecologist and founder of the Cape Reptile Institute.
http://www.crepinstitute.co.za/