Nosy Komba ground boa explained

The Nosy Komba ground boa (Sanzinia volontany) is a boa species endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is brownish in colour and is found on the western side of the island. It was once considered conspecific with the Madagascar tree boa. Like all other boas, it is not venomous.

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to Madagascar. The type locality given is "Madagascar".

Feeding

Arboreal and generally nocturnal, it feeds on mammals and birds. Its thermoreceptive pits help it to locate its prey. It will also leave the trees to actively hunt for small mammals on the ground.[1] It favors trees and shrubs near streams, rivers, ponds and swamps.[2]

Notes and References

  1. McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. (series). (volume).
  2. Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. .