Argentine Rainbow Boa

Epicrates cenchria is a boa species found in Central and South America. A terrestrial species, it is known for its attractive iridescent sheen. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Found in lower Central America in Costa Rica and Panama. In South America it occurs east of the Andes in Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The type locality given is "Surinami."

Despite requiring very specific humidity and heat, this species is commonly found in the pet trade. During the 1980s and early 1990s, substantial numbers were exported from Suriname. Today, however, far fewer are exported and most offered for sale are captive bred. Due to their requirements they should be considered intermediate for snake owners, but once these have been met they generally thrive in captivity. Younger specimens will often bite, but tend to calm down as they become more used to handling.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_boa - 01.04.2010