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Animal Guide

Red-Tailed Boa

42 destinations · 23 states

Native Range
Central and South America

The red-tailed boa is a snake that rewards a slow look. Its thick, muscular body may seem completely still at first, but watch the head and you may notice the tongue flicking in and out as it gathers chemical clues from the air. The reddish-brown markings near the tail become especially noticeable when the snake stretches across a branch or coils around a sturdy perch. Red-tailed boas are powerful constrictors, using their muscular bodies to hold prey rather than relying on venom. They are also capable climbers and swimmers, although an individual in a zoo exhibit may spend long periods resting in a sheltered spot. Look at how the coils overlap when the boa settles down. Even while resting, the snake is maintaining precise control of its body. Their heat-sensitive facial pits provide another useful detail to notice, helping them detect warm-bodied animals in dim conditions. A quiet boa can be easy to overlook beside more active exhibit animals, but once it begins moving, its strength and control become much easier to appreciate.

Red-Tailed Boa

Where to see Red-Tailed Boa

42 destinations across 23 states

42 destinations

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Gulf Shores, AL

Alameda Park Zoo

Alamogordo, NM

Austin Zoo

Austin, TX

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Dayton, OH

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

California Science Center

Los Angeles, CA

Cape May County Park & Zoo

Cape May Court House, NJ

Chahinkapa Zoo

Wahpeton, ND

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN

Dakota Zoo

Bismarck, ND

East Idaho Aquarium

Idaho Falls, ID

El Paso Zoo

El Paso, TX

Elmwood Park Zoo

Norristown, PA

Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo

Rome, NY

Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park

Naubinway, MI

Great Plains Zoo

Sioux Falls, SD

Hattiesburg Zoo

Hattiesburg, MS

Iguanaland

Punta Gorda, FL

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Lincoln, NE

Miller Park Zoo

Bloomington, IL

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, WI

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park

Green Bay, WI

NorCal Aquarium & Wildlife

Folsom, CA

Oakland Zoo

Oakland, CA

Racine Zoo

Racine, WI

Reptile World Serpentarium

St Cloud, FL

Ross Park Zoo

Binghamton, NY

Sacramento Zoo

Sacramento, CA

Saginaw Children's Zoo

Saginaw, MI

San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco, CA

Texas State Aquarium

Corpus Christi, TX

Topeka Zoo

Topeka, KS

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Wild Adventures

Valdosta, GA

Wild Animal Safari

Pine Mountain, GA

Wilderness Trails Zoo

Birch Run, MI

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari

Minocqua, WI

Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center

Springfield, MA

Zoo Miami

Miami, FL

Zoo World Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach, FL

Zoosiana

Broussard, LA

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