 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Acrantophis dumerili" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Acrantophis dumerili | |
|---|---|
_male_Reniala.jpg) | |
| male in Reserve Reniala, Madagascar | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Boidae |
| Genus: | Acrantophis |
| Species: | A. dumerili |
| Binomial name | |
| Acrantophis dumerili | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Acrantophis dumerili,commonly known asDumeril's boa,[1] is aspecies of non-venomous snake in thefamilyBoidae. The species isendemic toMadagascar. Nosubspecies are currently recognized.[4][5]
Thespecific name,dumerili, is in honor ofFrenchherpetologistAndré Marie Constant Duméril.[6]
Adults ofA. dumerili usually grow to 6.5 feet (2 m) in total length (including tail)[7] with the maximum reported to be 8 foot, 6 inches (259 cm). Males usually have longer skinnier tails, while females tend to be larger overall.[citation needed]
The color pattern consists of a gray-brown ground color with darker patches, forming an effectivecamouflage against the leaf litter of the forest floor of their native habitat.[citation needed]
_male_head_Isalo.jpg)
A. dumerili is found onMadagascar. Thetype locality given in the original description is "Amérique mérid. ?", which is later given as "?" by Jan (1863).[3]
Along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar, it is found in a semi-arid habitat that gets fairly low amounts of precipitation.[citation needed]
The speciesA. dumerili is classified as Least Concern (LC) on theIUCN Red List for the following criteria: A1cd (v2.3, 1994).[1] This means that a population reduction of at least 20% has been observed, estimated, inferred or suspected over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, and based on actual or potential levels of exploitation.[8] The species was last assessed in 2011.[1]
A. dumerili is also listed asCITES Appendix I, which means that it is threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for example for scientific research.[9]
It is threatened by deforestation and human persecution. In some areas it is feared and often killed on sight. Although some native lore would relate stories of the souls of the tribes ancestors being in the snake skins, because patterns of faces on the sides of the snakes are interpreted, making them religiously sacred and therefore not dangerous to some cultures.[citation needed]
Thediet ofA. dumerili consists of small animals, such as birds, lizards, and small mammals, including juvenile lemurs. It is also known to prey on other snakes.[citation needed]
InA. dumerili sexual maturity is reached within 3 to 5 years of age. Males haveanal spurs, which are used in courtship.The mating season is March through May, and the young are born some 6 to 8 months later.Ovoviviparous, females give birth to a litters of 6-28. Neonates are 12-18 inches (30–46 cm) long.[citation needed]
Once exported fromMadagascar in great numbers, trade inA. dumerili has since been heavily restricted. The species is, however, quite prolific in captivity, andcaptive bred individuals are easy to find in theexotic pet trade. Though its size makes it more suited to someone experienced with large constrictors, it has a typically docile nature, and readily feeds on rats. The main concern is that it is prone to stress, which can sometimes cause it to stop eating or can contribute to other health issues.[citation needed]
