Mathieu
May 5th, 2006
May 5th, 2006
Boas
“Boas are a type of snake that are members of the Boidae family. Boas are basal snakes that are “primitive” in evolutionary terms (i.e. less derived). They are constrictors and give birth to live young. They have anal spurs, a pair of claws on each side of the cloaca which are vestiges of legs. Boas are named after cows (Latin: bos) because of the old myth that boa snakes pursue cows and suckle them until they are drained to death.
Boas have two subfamilies: Boinae or true boas and Erycinae or sand boas. Pythons are sometimes classified as a subfamily of Boidae, but are frequently listed under their own family, Pythonidae.”