Classification: Introduced Species

Description: Adults grow to an average of 5 and 6.5 feet in length. This species exhibits an immense variety of colors and patterns. The basic color can be anywhere from black, brown, or gray, to any shade of red, orange, yellow, or many colors in between. Some are totally patternless, while others may be speckled, banded, or saddled with rhomboid or chevron shapes. Some reds will have yellow patterns, some yellows red or orange patterns. Generally, there are two color 'phases' that are genetically inherited, but are not ontogenic as with the emerald tree boa (C. caninus) and the southern green tree python (Morelia viridis). The 'garden phase' refers to boas with drab coloration, mostly brown or olive, with varied patterning, while the 'colored phase' refers to animals with combinations of red, orange, and yellow coloring.

Habitat: This species has one of the widest ecological niches of any Amazonian snake. This arboreal snake inhabits the lower humid forest and flooded forest of the Amazonia as well as in gallery forests, and it can occur in disturbed areas and even in houses located next to forest patches.

Range: The range of Corallus hortulana extends through the Amazon rainforest of South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Typically found below 300 m elevation. They can be found in a variety of habitats, but are strictly an arboreal species.

Found in these States: FL

Diet: It feeds mainly on mammals (including rodents and bats) and birds.

Reproduction: There is little information on wild mating. In an attempt to at least provide some relevant information, captive breeding techniques from one thorough description are summarized below:

Beginning in early November, evening temperatures drop from the stable summer temperatures of 77 to 78 degrees F to a nightly low of about 70 to 72 degrees F by the first week of December. This change is as gradual as possible in captivity. At the same time, a daytime high of 83 to 85 degrees F is introduced. These temperature gradients are important in triggering mating behaviors. After approximately 2 months of exposure to these new temperatures, most males will begin to display courtship behavior. Frequently males will shed shortly before beginning courtship. The courtship behavior consists of "tail-writhing" around the enclosure. After this has begun, the male and female are introduced and the male's courtship behavior will induce ovulation in the female. Females are also more receptive to mates if they are introduced shortly after a shed. Around March to April, the pair will have begun actively copulating. The snakes will copulate multiple times during this period. In captivity it is possible to have one female mate with multiple males, though this is not recommended as the males will often become highly aggressive and fight each other. In some cases, high levels of male aggression have been noted resulting in a dangerous situation for the female.

In Amazon tree boas, ovulation occurs in the female several weeks after copulation. During gestation period, females seek areas in direct sunlight or other warm areas to bask. Amazon tree boas give birth to live young. The gestation period is 6 to 8 months. Newborns will shed their skin 8 to 14 days after birth. After about 3 years, Amazon tree boas will reach sexual maturity. After the young are born they are immediately independent of their mother. Male Amazon tree boas do not contribute to the care of their young.

Status: This species is listed as Least Concern on the basis of the very large distribution, relatively large population, lack of widespread threats, and occurrence in numerous protected areas.

Taxonomy: