THE BOA CONSTRICTOR 



75 



and the flinging of the first coil follows so quickly after the 

 strike of the jaws that the two acts seem almost simultaneous. 

 The Boa Constrictor is much smaller than its neighbor, 

 the anaconda, and not more than one-half the size of the gi- 

 gantic reticulated python of the East Indies. Its maximum 

 length is about 12 feet. It inhabits South America, from 



BOA CONSTRICTOR. 



the Caribbean Sea to Paraguay, but only in forested regions, 

 where animal food is plentiful, and cover for concealment is 

 abundant. This species is readily recognized by its bright, 

 reddish-brown tail, which is much more highly colored than 

 the head and body. It is also marked by the prevalence 

 of reddish, iron-rust brown in its color scheme, and the very 

 large oval patches of light color, divided by black bands, that 

 are laid along its back with regularity and precision. The 

 sides are beautifully marked by light-colored diamonds and 

 bars. 



When at home, this serpent feeds upon pacas, agoutis, 



