Central American Boa

(Boa imperator)

Belizean Creole: Wowla

The Central American boa is the largest of the 62 species of snakes that are native to Belize; they may grow up to twelve feet in length! Boas are found countrywide, including on some of the offshore cayes. They easily inhabit populated areas where rodents and songbirds are abundant, even cities and towns.

Boas vary in color from brown to gray with irregular saddles down the entire dorsal body. Boas have rows of sharp, curved teeth for latching firmly onto their prey before constricting.

Boas feed primarily on birds, rodents and small mammals. In Belize, they have been recorded eating agouti and grey fox. They will also feed on lizards and iguanas. When threatened, a boa will hiss and strike. Although non-venomous, a boa bite can be painful. A large female may give birth to as many as fifty young at one time.

Fun Facts

• Boas are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs like other reptiles
• Boas are part of the Boidae family, which also includes anacondas
• Boas kill their prey by restricting blood flow to the brain, not by suffocation

Belize Zoo Trivia

“Balboa” has been a household name at The Belize Zoo for many decades. Although there have been a couple different boas who carry the name in the Zoo’s 40 year history, the mantle as “snake ambassador” remains constant. Balboa educates thousands of visitors about the importance of snakes, and has helped countless people address their fear and hatred of snakes, and foster more empathy and appreciation.

While snakes in the wild should never be picked up or handled without cause, visitors have the opportunity to hold Balboa under the supervision of trained TBZ staff.