Officers with the Clearwater Police Department extracted the five foot snake.
Red tail boa, more commonly known as boa constrictors, are a large-bodied non-venomous species of snake. While they are only about two feet long when they are born, they can grow up to 18 feet over the course of their 25-year lifespan.
They tend to feed on rodents but can eat larger animals including lizards and mammals, like cats and dogs. Smaller boas do not pose a threat to humans, but bigger animals do have large sharp teeth and can cause lacerations. Boa constrictors are found across tropical South America, but a small population can also be found in southern parts of Florida. The species is thought to have been introduced there in the 1970s.Clearwater Police DepartmentClearwater Police Department"The boa constrictor population established in Florida is thought to have originated from snakes imported from Colombia based on color pattern and historical data regarding the importation of these snakes," the Florida Museum says.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says boa constrictors are common in the pet trade."There is one reproducing population of boa constrictors in Florida, in eastern Miami-Dade County.", boa constrictors do not appear to be expanding their range to establish a large population in the state.
The two species of snake can be identified through their differing patterns."Boas have tan ovals separated by darker saddles and a thin line down the back of the head," the FWCC said."Burmese pythons have angular tan blotches that resemble a giraffe pattern and a dark wedge on [the] back of the head."
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