Rosy Boa

(Lichanura trivirgata)
Subspecies: Mexican, Desert, Coastal

Description:

24-42" (61-106.7 cm). Stout, smooth, and shiny. Gray, tan, brown, or rosy-red with 3 brown stripes down body; occasionally blotched. Head and tail somewhat short and blunt. No large symmetrical scales on top of head or under chin. Neck nearly as wide as head. Males have clawlike spur on each side of anal plate. Scales smooth, in 35-45 rows. Anal plate single.

Breeding:

Habits poorly known. Mates May to June; 6-10 young are born October to November. Gestation takes approximately 130 days; newborn are about 12" (31 cm) long.

Habitat:

Desert, arid scrub, brushland, rocky chaparral-covered foothills--particularly where moisture is available, as around springs, streams, and canyon floors; sea level to 4,000' (1,200 m).

Range:

S. California into n. Baja California, sw. Arizonia, and adjacent Mexico.

Subspecies:

Mexican (L. t. trivirgata), distinct dark brown stripes, black speckles on belly; sw. Arizona (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument) into Mexico.

Desert (L. t. gracia), distinct rose, reddish-brown, or light brown stripes, brown speckles on belly; se. California and sw. Arizona.

Coastal (L. t. roseofusca), ill-defined pink, rose, reddish-brown, or brown stripes, extreme sw. California into Baja.

Nocturnal. Primarily terrestrial, but occasionally climbs shrubs. A powerful constrictor, it preys on small mammals and birds. It seldom bites when handled, but when frightened may coil into a tight ball with head hidden within the coils. The anal spurs are used by the male to stroke the female during courtship. Record longevity is 18 1/2 years.

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