Rubber Boa (Charina bottae). 



Description: The Rubber boa looks and feels like rubber, hence its name. It is a small snake (12- 

 28" snout-vent length), stout, and uniformly-colored from brown to green on the dorsal side. 

 The ventral surface is cream to tan in color. The scales are small and smooth, except for 

 those on the head which are enlarged. The tail is short and blunt. Two to eight young are 

 born alive. Young Rubber boas are more tan (or even pinkish) than the adults on both the 

 dorsal and ventral surfaces. 



Habitat and Habits: The Rubber boa is a secretive snake, usually found under logs and rocks in 

 either moist or dry forest habitats. Occasionally they are seen sunning themselves on roads, 

 trails or in open areas. Rarely are they seen in marsh or bog situations. They will constrict 

 small prey (i.e. shrews, small mice, salamanders, etc.) but also feed on various insects and 

 invertebrates. The young are born in late summer or early fall. 



Surveying: There are no practical methods for surveying other than systematic searches of a 

 given area rolling over rocks, logs, etc. Previous sightings are of value in locating general 

 areas of activity. 



Status: Sightings of Rubber boas are infrequent but they were seen in the Libby and Three 

 Rivers districts during this survey. They probably occur throughout the KNF at low to mid- 

 elevations. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S4. 



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