
They give birth to fully formed live young. They are solitary animals and are unlikely to make long distance movements provided food and shelter are locally available.

They prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles and generally hunt at night. This involves the snake tightly coiling around the prey, not crushing it, but severely restricting movement. BehaviourĪs their name suggests, boa constrictors constrict their prey. They live primarily in hollow logs and abandoned mammal burrows where they can hide from potential predators. They are also commonly found in or along rivers and streams, as they are very capable swimmers but prefer to stay on dry land. However, they prefer to live in rainforest due to the humidity and temperature, natural cover from predators and vast amount of potential prey. They can be found in tropical rainforests to arid semi-desert country. The body generally has a distinctive pattern of jagged lines, dark saddles, ovals, diamonds and circles and most have a mid-dorsal head-stripe. They can also have reddish colouration on the tail and elsewhere on the body. They have a wide range of colour variation.
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How to identify a boa constrictor Sizeīoa constrictors are one of the world's largest snakes, the average size is 3m but they can reach up to 5m and weigh 45kg though more commonly weigh 10 to 15 kgs. Escapees or deliberately released animals can be extremely difficult and costly to recover. The illegal keeping and trading of boa constrictors poses one of the greatest risks of the species establishing in Victoria. Boa constrictors are occasionally detected in urban areas of Melbourne and Geelong such as the one found in Seaford in May 2015. The importation, keeping, breeding and trading of this species, without appropriate permits, is illegal and penalties apply.īoa constrictors have been found in all states in Australia, including Victoria and are typically escapees or deliberately released animals from the illegal pet trade. The boa constrictor is not native to Australia and if given the opportunity could populate a wide range of landscapes within Victoria, impacting on native species through predation and potentially introducing new animal disease.īoa constrictor are classified as a controlled pest animal under the Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. It's important to report boa constrictor sightings If bitten by a snake dial 000 immediately. All snakes should be considered venomous and highly dangerous. You should never attempt to approach or handle a snake. All reports are responded to as a priority and may result in trapping, surveillance and the removal of confirmed boa constrictor. Detailed information allows the Victorian government to make a timely and positive identification.


Photos and accurate descriptions of where and when the animal(s) was sighted are critical when making a report. Parents the unthinkable can happen!”ĭespite Beau being “very shaken up”, Tesse said the family is feeling grateful he is OK and wasn’t more seriously injured.Have you seen this animal? Report it now! “We were lucky to have the fast response of … and it took quite a bit of effort to pull the python whom was firmly wrapped around his leg,” she said. “It’s snake season they’re out and about and after all the weather we’ve had and the climate that’s around at the moment they’re very mobile.”īeau’s mother, Tesse Ferguson, shared details of the “dramatic evening” on social media, warning other parents to “keep their eyes peeled”. “My dad’s lived there for 36 years and we’ve possibly seen ten snakes on the property,” Ben said.
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“We were all looking around, a bit sheepish.”Īs for the snake, Ben said he held it for about 10 minutes after freeing Beau before releasing it back into the garden. “He was a bit sheepish and didn’t want to go out amongst the pool this morning,” Ben said. After a trip to the hospital yesterday where he got the all-clear, Beau stayed home from school today to rest and recover. Photograph: Tesse Fergusonīen said his son was an “absolute trooper” after the attack. Bite marks on the ankle of five-year-old Beau, who was attacked on Thursday after school in Byron Bay.
