This week the team at the Amazon Conservation Project in Peru discovered the largest Boa Constrictor recorded on site in over five years, and everyone is very excited about the discovery!
During their daily survey of the rainforest, the snake was initially thought to be a tree trunk...until it moved! After this sudden movement, the team recognised the animal immediately as a great Boa Constrictor.
The expertise and experience of the team allowed them to safely transport the snake into an area where they could start collecting data for their own scientific research. She consisted of 2.9 metres and 17.5 kilograms of sparkling scales, surprising the team as their last recorded Boa was a much smaller juvenile.
The staff survey the rainforest every day to better understand its exchange of energy. Reptiles are included in the several taxonomic groups that are studied at the site, which helps to monitor the health of the forest. The Boa Constrictor is a key part of the food chain as both prey and predator, so the presence of one indicates a healthy and biodiverse environment in the Amazon.
This beautiful boa was slightly longer than the average of 2.5 metres, but this is hardly surprising considering there are records of adults reaching 5 metres long! Whilst they are not venomous, the constrictor earns its name as it literally squeezes its prey to death.
With the amazing work of the team finished and all of the required data gathered, they waited until night time to release the boa back into the habitat from which she was taken. They waited until this time as these snakes are most active at night. Staff reported she was calm once out on her own and the team felt a sense of accomplishment watching the great boa slither off into the jungle once more.
Sightings such as this are a promising sign, and they provide a boost for motivation levels in the local wildlife conservation community. Events like this are the reason why we strive to help wildlife and what makes all the hard work of our generous volunteers at our fantastic projects worth while!
If you are interested in volunteering in the Amazon, take a look at the project page and learn more about this exciting volunteering opportunity.
Thank you to Biologist and Field Staff Member Diego Sanchez for the amazing photographs of the boa!
