Other species of nonnative constrictor that have been found in South Florida include the reticulated python ( Python reticulatus), ball python ( Python regius), green anaconda ( Eunectes murinus), and yellow anaconda ( Eunectes notaeus). Toward the tail, the saddle-like ovals become narrow bands separated by reddish saddles. The body is marked down the back and sides with tan ovals. The common or red-tailed boa ( Boa constrictor) usually reaches lengths of 6–10 feet. Both species have a dark arrowhead shape on top of the head and a dark wedge behind the eye. Also, the bellies of Northern African pythons are completely speckled, compared to Burmese pythons which have pale bellies. The Northern African python looks similar, but the spots on its back usually connect and form a less-defined pattern. Burmese pythons are tan in color with dark “giraffe” blotches on the back and sides that are irregularly shaped and fit together like puzzle pieces. Their scales appear smooth, unlike the rough, textured scales of native water snakes.īurmese pythons ( Python molurus bivittatus) and Northern African pythons ( Python sebae) can grow up to 20 feet long. This list consists of the classic boa constrictor, longicauda, occidentalis, ortonii, imperator, nebulosa, orophias, and amarali. The reality is, eight species fall under the boa umbrella, with another two that bounce back and forth. Nonnative constrictors are much longer and heavier than any of Florida’s native snakes, routinely growing to more than seven feet long. Most people read the words forty species in the boa family and assume that means there are 40 species of boa.

Yellow boa constrictor puppy