On this page we show images of the natural environment of Boa constrictor.

The Boa constrictor enthusiasts will surely be grateful! :o) 

The images from Peru and the subsequent report are from John Messenbough (USA).
Thanks John, we appreciate it!

Tree in the primeval forest in Peru

Tree in the primeval forest in Peru

Hut near a tribuatary of the Amazon in Peru

The Heath River. The left bank is the country of Bolivia whereas the right bank is Peru. It is a safe assumption that the Boa constrictor on either side of the river look identical.

Tribuatary of the Amazon in Peru

Rainforest along the Madre de Dios River in southeastern Peru

Tribuatary to the Amazon.  Lots of raptors can be seen along this river

Palm Forest within rainforest.  Blue and Yellow Macaws nest within the Palm Trees of this type of forest.  In front an oxbow lake that has been formed because the nearby river's course has changed over time and leaves behind a lake.  Green Anaconda can be found here

Peruvian Rainforest

Peruvian Rainforest

A sad sight: Despite their status as protected species native animals are killed, padded and sold as souvenirs. In the center of the image you can see a Peruvian Redtail Boa (Boa c. constrictor)

Tribuatary to the Amazon during the dry season

Tribuatary to the Amazon during the dry season

Amazon during the dry season. The rainforest has been cut down along the bank

Every minute an area of the brazilian rainforest that corresponds to 4.5 soccer fields  is cut down. In Peru the conditions are similar. In the photo you can see a sawmill near Iquitos. The timbers are former trees in the rainforest

Here is a report by John about his time in Peru:

I have visited Latin America many times and spent nearly two months in southeastern Peru one year ago.  Do you know how many wild Boa c. constrictor/Peruvian Redtails I saw?  I did not see one.  I was in their territory and found a few other species but no Peruvian Redtail Boas. I alerted everyone that a goal of mine was to see and photograph Boas and there would be a financial reward for any discovered for me to see. 

I hiked miles and miles both night and day and still never happened upon any.  We did see Green Anacondas that would bask for a couple of hours in the sun before disappearing.  On cloudy days they were not to be found.

Basking Anakonda, photo taken by  John Messenbough in Peru

 

The natives told me that they don't  not see boa constrictor during the dry season but when the rains began, they would see them randomly once again. It is my assumption that some snakes are retreating underground (there are many Armadillo burrows throughout the forest) to a cooler, more humid temperature.

Nature television shows have spoiled us into believing that wildlife is easy to see from the fantastic animal footage they provide.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  They are there but extremely hard to detect because of the mutitude of hiding places and their camouflage which allows them to go undetected.  Latin American guides have told me that zoo specimens have sometimes been flown into a location so that the naturalist on camera can appear as if he/she has just the specimen in the wild.

I'm certain there are those that can find some of these elusive creatures if given time but it is very difficult.  One is just as likely to find one of the other multitude of species as they are their target specimen.

This was the report by John Messenbough. His experience is not an isolated case. We often have been told that one can walk through the rainforest for many weeks searching for Boa constrictor and seeing not a one.

That proves that a few trips to South America don't make a boa specialist.

The Costa Rica photos are property of Jerome Chauveau, France, and protected by European copyright law.

We thank our friend Jerome for putting the photos to our disposal.

 

 

 

 

Venezuela

The Venezuela photos are property of Jerome Chauveau, France, and protected by European copyright law.

We thank our friend Jerome for putting the photos to our disposal.

 

Gran Sabana

 

 

Paraguay

The Paraguay photos are property of Sebastian Hoelch, Germany (Landsberg), and protected by

European copyright law.

 

We thank our friend Sebastian for putting the photos to our disposal.

 

The images were taken in the area around the village
General Eugenio Alejandro Garay
(Paraguay - not far from the border to Bolivia)

 

 

 

 

Suriname

The Suriname photos are property of Jerome Chauveau, France, and protected by European copyright law.

We thank our friend Jerome for putting the photos to our disposal.

The images were taken in the Nature Reserve Voltzberg/Suriname and

near the town Albina (Eastern Suriname)

 

 

 

Brazil

The Brazil photos are property of Jerome Chauveau, France, and protected by European copyright law.

We thank our friend Jerome for putting the photos to our disposal.

 

The photos were taken in Brazil near the border to

French Guyana near the Oyapoque river.