# Emerald Tree Boa (*Corallus caninus*)

The Emerald Tree Boa is a bright green snake that loves to hang out in trees. They are very good at blending in with the leaves!

- **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 4/5 · High
- **Habitat:** Rainforests
- **Also known as:** Green Tree Boa

![Emerald Tree Boa](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426805/objects/5672.jpg)

## Appearance

The Emerald Tree Boa is a slender snake known for its vibrant green body, adorned with broken white or yellow zig-zag stripes and a yellowish belly. Its large head, distinct from its narrow neck, features heat-sensing pits, while its vertical pupils give it a striking gaze.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Squamata
- **Order:** Serpentes
- **Family:** Boidae
- **Genus:** Corallus

## Interesting facts

- Baby Emerald Tree Boas are often born red, orange, or yellow before turning green!
- Despite being boas, they have exceptionally long front teeth, perfect for grabbing birds mid-flight.
- These snakes typically rest in a specific coiled posture, with their head placed in the center.
- They are solitary creatures, spending almost their entire lives high up in the rainforest canopy.

## Special abilities

- **Arboreal Grip:** Emerald Tree Boas have a strong prehensile tail that helps them tightly grip branches while resting or hunting.
- **Night Vision Radar:** Emerald Tree Boas have special heat-sensing pits that help them detect warm-blooded prey in total darkness.
- **Coiled Camouflage:** Emerald Tree Boas can coil their bodies perfectly on a branch, making them look like part of the foliage.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 150-220 cm
- **Weight:** 1.2-1.8 kg
- **Lifespan:** 15-20 years
- **Clutch Size:** 5-12

## Diet & Feeding

A stealthy hunter that ambushes birds and small furry creatures in the trees.

- **Primary Foods:** Birds, Bats, Rodents, Small Lizards
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Harpy Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harpy-eagle) (*Harpia harpyja*) — A powerful raptor that preys on arboreal snakes.
- **Eats:** Pale-faced Bat (*Phyllostomus discolor*) — Ambushes bats as they fly through the canopy at night.
- **Eats:** Red-tailed Squirrel (*Sciurus igniventris*) — Preys on these squirrels resting or moving through the branches.
- **Eats:** Bananaquit (*Coereba flaveola*) — Catches small birds, including this species, from their perches.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles)
- [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians)

## Safety

**Danger:** 4/5 · High

Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Emerald Tree Boa?

Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Emerald Tree Boa?

150-220 cm

### How much does Emerald Tree Boa weigh?

1.2-1.8 kg

### How long does Emerald Tree Boa live?

15-20 years

### What does Emerald Tree Boa eat?

A stealthy hunter that ambushes birds and small furry creatures in the trees.

### Where is Emerald Tree Boa usually found?

Rainforests

### How does Emerald Tree Boa hunt?

Ambush

### How many eggs does Emerald Tree Boa lay?

5-12

## Where to spot

- [Downtown Aquarium, Houston](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-aquarium-houston) — Texas, US · Aquarium

## More Reptiles

- [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*)
- [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*)
- [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*)
- [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*)

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Source: [Emerald Tree Boa: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emerald-tree-boa)