Clearwater Marine Aquarium is full of all sorts of exciting animals! From a red-tailed boa to tortoises, there are a number of different creatures that are worth learning about.
Where to See
- Florida: Wild & Exotic
Red-Tailed Boa
Red-Tailed Boa
- AVERAGE SIZE
- Average 15-50 pounds and up to 10 feet long
- LIFESPAN
- 20-40+ years
- HABITAT
- Tropical, subtropical, and dry forests, mangrove swamps, scrublands, and wetlands
- DIET
- Small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards, and eggs
- Range
- South America from Venezuela to Argentina
INVASIVE SPECIES
Conservation Efforts:
Red-tailed boas are vulnerable to habitat loss, hunting for their meat, and pet trade harvest. These animals are a non-native species that became introduced to Florida – likely due to the irresponsible release of individuals brought to the state in the pet trade.
How You Can Help:
By choosing to support sustainable practices and responsibly sourced pets, you can help protect native populations and the environment. If you’re looking to adopt a pet, ask where the store or individual sources their animals to ensure you’re not contributing to the problem. This reduces over-harvesting and encourages a shift towards more sustainable practices in the industry. If you are looking to adopt an animal, make sure you do your research, as many of these animals end up released and abandoned in a non-native habitat, which can lead to invasive species or the suffering of the individual.