Rosy Boa
Lichanura trivirgata
A small, calm desert boa recognized by three dark longitudinal stripes running down its otherwise pale, sandy body.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.1 m (2-3.6 ft)
- Range
- Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico
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Overview
The rosy boa is a small desert-dwelling boa found across the arid Southwest of North America. Its name derives from the pinkish or rosy hue often seen on its underside and between its stripes in some populations.
It has a calm temperament and is a harmless species to humans. It moves slowly and deliberately compared to many other snakes of similar habitats.
How to identify it
- Three broad, dark longitudinal stripes (brown, gray, or blackish) running the length of the body against a lighter tan, gray, or cream background
- Stripe patterns and coloration vary geographically, with some populations showing more blended or wavy-edged stripes
- Smooth scales with a stout, cylindrical body
- Small head barely wider than the neck, with small eyes and vertically elliptical pupils
- Short tail
- Adults typically 0.6-1.1 m, distinguishing it from longer, more slender colubrids in the same desert habitats
Habitat & range
Inhabits rocky desert slopes, canyons, scrublands, and arid grasslands, often near rock outcrops that provide shelter and thermal refuge. Found across the southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, and parts of Nevada and Utah, extending south into Baja California and northwestern mainland Mexico.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, especially in warmer months, sheltering in rock crevices during the heat of the day. Diet consists of small mammals, especially rodents and young rabbits, subdued by constriction, along with occasional birds and lizards.
Known for an unusually calm and slow-moving temperament. It is a live-bearing species, giving birth to small litters typically of three to eight young.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rosy boa venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and kills prey by constriction.
How big does the rosy boa get?
Adults typically reach 0.6-1.1 m (2-3.6 ft) in length.
Where is the rosy boa found?
It inhabits deserts and rocky habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
What does the rosy boa's pattern look like?
It typically has three dark longitudinal stripes running down a lighter, sandy-colored body.
Rosy Boa guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Rosy Boa.
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