Sanzinia madagascariensis

Madagascar Tree Boa

The Madagascar Tree Boa ( Sanzinia madagascariensis ) is a snake -based in Madagascar from the family of Boaz. It is the only species of the monotypic genus Sanzinia.

Description

The Madagascar Tree Boa is an average of about 200 cm long. The size of the animals determined the highly variable distribution area. So animals are known to have become no greater than 150 cm, while others have even become a little more almost twice the size of 250 cm or. Similarly, the general coloring of the animals, they vary in the northeast between dark green to blue and turquoise tones, change in southwest into more beige - brown. Over the whole body extending irregular cross belts that are offset lighter than the base color, most of these are almost white. The pupils are slit vertically and the eye color is black. The head shape is heart-shaped in most animals. The body will probably remain rather slimmer by the very good climbing skills for boa snakes. The tail is also sometimes used as a prehensile tail. Side of the cloaca are like all boas After the Spurs. As well as some other species of the subfamily of the Boas also has the Madagascar Tree Boa heat-sensitive sensory pores that Labialgruben. They are arranged in an overlapping row along the upper and lower lip and allow the snake to go even in total darkness on the hunt.

Distribution area

Dissemination

The distribution of the Madagascar Tree Boa extends over the entire island of Madagascar, on the not far distant Mascarene Islands and Réunion were already listed presence of this species. There have already been found on some small offshore islands around Madagascar copies.

Habitat

The highly adaptable Madagascar Tree Boa, diverse body and settled with their colors and the variety of habitats and microhabitats. They live in barren steppes, in cooler mountain regions to coastal landscapes. However, by far the largest area of ​​distribution extends over the rain forests of the island.

Reproduction

Like all boas is also the Madagascar Tree Boa viviparous ( ovoviviparous ). In nature, living Females mate at the beginning of the mating season with multiple males. Meeting these, they can provide heavy ranking fights, one or usually end with the flight of the defeated animal or in the terrarium only with the death as a result of serious injuries and both animals. The gestation period is the females 6 to 8 months, born after this time up to 16 pups. Mostly, however, the number of neonates (babies ) with 4 to 6 significantly lower. These are colored red and stain only at the age between 6 months and 3 years to their final color around. The pups are absolutely arboreal ( arboricol ).

Color change

It is noteworthy, as well as at the Green Tree Python, the coloring of the greenest pregnant females. These can be much darker, so that they are almost black on the back during the gestation period. This change of color is likely to be able to absorb and store the sun's energy due to the larger energy consumption faster. After the throw switch the animals at the next molt back to their normal color. As with tree python hatchlings of the Madagascar Tree Boa are colored red. The reddish color disappears gradually after about 1 to 2 years and changes over into the general coloring of the adult animals.

System

The scientific description was in 1849 by John Edward Gray. The Madagascar Tree Boa ( Sanzinia madagascariensis ) is placed in the family of boas ( Boidae ). There it is sorted to the subfamily of boa snakes ( Boinae ). There she is the only species in the monotypic genus Sanzinia.

See also classification of snakes

Subspecies

There are several variations in terms of size, design, color and shape of the head known. This suggests that there are several subspecies of Sanzinia madagascariensis.

Protection status

Because the natural habitat of the animals is greatly disturbed on the island and is destroyed in an ever increasing extent, this species was like all indigenous to Madagascar snakes strongly protected. It was included in Annex A of CITES, and also enjoys as Annex -A type of European Wildlife Trade Regulation the highest protection status. This means that Sanzinia madagascariensis may not be held without the approval of the competent authority in Germany. During transport the animals, and the authorization of the competent national authority must be present, in addition exists for wild specimens a separate Flaunt and marketing ban. When you import or export of Sanzinia madagascariensis special provisions apply. There must be an approval of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, additionally requires the Federal Species Protection Ordinance that reptile species listed in Annex A of the European species protection regulation must be labeled for the purpose of recognition of the animal.