# Northern Rubber Boa (*Charina bottae*) The Northern Rubber Boa is a gentle snake that loves to hide under rocks and logs. It has smooth, rubbery skin and can be found slithering around in the wild, making it a special friend of nature. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Northern Rubber Boa](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Charina_bottae.jpg&width=800) Photo: USDA Forest service, \[1\], Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charina_bottae.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Rubber Boa is a small, stout snake with smooth, shiny scales that feel rubbery to the touch, ranging in color from olive green, tan, to various shades of brown. It has a distinctive small, blunt head and an equally blunt tail, often leading predators to confuse its tail for its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Boidae - **Genus:** Charina ## Interesting facts - They are one of the most northern-ranging boas, able to live in surprisingly cool forest habitats! - This gentle snake gives birth to live babies instead of laying eggs, making them unique among many snakes! - Unlike most snakes that hiss, this boa sometimes makes a tiny clicking sound when startled! - When scared, it can release a smelly musky liquid to warn off predators and feel safe! ## Special abilities - **Tail Deception:** Northern Rubber Boa has a blunt tail that looks like its head, which helps them distract predators and escape danger. - **Stealthy Constrictor:** Northern Rubber Boa can tightly constrict small prey with its strong body, which helps them capture and eat tiny animals. - **Earth Mover:** Northern Rubber Boa can burrow easily underground because of its smooth scales, helping it hide from danger or ambush prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-85 cm - **Weight:** 0.08-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 0.6 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 0.5 km/h ## Diet & Feeding This gentle snake hunts small mammals and other creatures, using its strong body to squeeze them! - **Primary Foods:** Deer Mouse, Voles, Shrews, Lizards, Young Birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Main food source for the boa. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator of boas. - **Eaten by:** [Long-tailed Weasel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/long-tailed-weasel) (*Mustela frenata*) — An opportunistic mammalian predator. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a snake, it's best to admire it from a distance and not touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Rubber 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 Northern Rubber Boa? 30-85 cm ### How much does Northern Rubber Boa weigh? 0.08-0.25 kg ### How long does Northern Rubber Boa live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Northern Rubber Boa move? 0.6 km/h ### What does Northern Rubber Boa eat? This gentle snake hunts small mammals and other creatures, using its strong body to squeeze them! ### How fast can Northern Rubber Boa swim? 0.5 km/h ### Where is Northern Rubber Boa usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Atwell Mill Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atwell-mill-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oregon-caves-national-monument-and-preserve) — Oregon, US · National Park - [Sawtooth Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sawtooth-botanical-garden) — Idaho, US · Botanical Garden - [Shorty Lovelace Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shorty-lovelace-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Kokanee Creek Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kokanee-creek-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [The Marine Mammal Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-marine-mammal-center) — California, US · Zoo [View all places to see Northern Rubber Boa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-rubber-boa) ## 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*) --- Source: [Northern Rubber Boa: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-rubber-boa)