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Break down of the Amazon Tree Boa (Corallus hortulanus) Complex: (Taken from A Taxonomic Review of the Corallus hortulanus Complex of Neotropical Tree Boas by Robert W. Henderson of the Milwuakee Public Museum as featured in Carribean Journal of Science Vol. 33, No. 3-4, 198-221, 1997) The purpose of this page is to clear up any questions some of you may have concerning species identification and the most recent nomenclature being used today. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me. Special thanks to Robert Henderson of the Milwaukee Public Museum for all of his research pertaining to Corallus and to Paul Huang of Washington State University for all of his help in locating and posting data. Corallus hortulanus:
Distribution: The Guianas and Amazonia (Southern Colombia, southern Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil). Attitudinal distribution is from sea level to about 9145 m. In general collection localities above 200-300m are rare. Remarks: This is the most commonly encountered colored tree boa available in the pet trade today. Often confused with the Cook’s tree boa (C. cooki) which is more enigmatic. Rodents are usually readily accepted with the exception of neonates which may require lizards or small treefrogs as first foods.
Distribution: St Vincent. Attitudinal is uncertain. Highest specimen encountered by R. W. Henderson was at 425m above sea level. Range does not overlap with other Corallus species. Remarks: The majority of the hortulanus available in the pet trade are often mistakenly referred to as Cook’s Tree boas when in fact they are mostly Amazons or C. hortulanus. This subspecies tends to favor lizard and hylid prey farther into adulthood than most of the other boas in this complex.
Distribution: Islands of the Grenada Bank. Range does not overlap with other corallus species. Remarks: Rarely seen in the pet trade. According to Henderson, dorsal ground color on the species is correlated with iris and tongue color, an interesting characteristic. I have never observed this species in captivity therefore cannot comment on feeding behaviors although I would imagine it is similar to C. cooki
Distribution: Occurs from southern Costa Rica (south of 10 degrees north) through Panama (including the offshore islands of Isla del Rey, Isla Contadora, Isla de Cebaco, and Isla Suscantupu); in Colombia east of the Andes and north of the cordilleras Central and Oriental; and in Venezuela north of the Cordillera de Merida and the Rio Orinoco (and on Isla Margarita), and north and west of the Guiana Shield. This species also occurs on Trinidad and Tobogo. Remarks: Very uncommon in the pet trade, this species is characterized by attaining a very large size when compared to the other tree boas in the complex. Due to its large size this species tends to be a voracious feeder exploiting prey that is not taken by hortulanus. In my opinion this species is very similar to Corallus annulatus in having a more placid temperament and spending a considerable amount of time on the floor. This species also occurs in much dryer habitats than the typical Corallus and is closest in size to Corallus caninus |
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