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A boa constrictor in Costa Rica? Yes, boa constrictors are out there in the jungle but when you are living in the jungle and one shows up in your garden, then what?
I was adamantly opposed to feeding the two cats that kept coming by our house in Puerto Viejo as I knew we would be in for a long-term relationship with them. They didn’t appear to be starving. But it didn’t take me long to cave – especially when we figured out that the one that resembled an alien and who meowed incessantly was pregnant. We fondly named the two cats Hermione and Ron betraying our eternal devotion to J.K. Rowling.
On a regular sunny, humid afternoon, I spotted Ron just staring under a bush – quite transfixed. I was curious. Perhaps Hermione had had her litter under the bush. I peered under the verdant green bush and could see no kittens, nothing in fact.
I kept asking Ron (kind of like a crazy, old cat lady), “What are you staring at Ron? Silly cat.” Nothing. Nothing. My eyes scanned the area. Nothing.
And then I saw it. A boa constrictor in Costa Rica. In my garden.
Completely camouflaged with the dead, brown leaves.
Nope: not just a little camouflaged snake;
Not a medium-sized camouflaged snake ….
but a cleverly camouflaged HUGE snake.
A boa constrictor in Costa Rica.
My heart leapt. Reality sunk in.
I am living in the jungle. Boa constrictors live in Costa Rica.
Snakes are really not my thing. In fact, I had been to the Jaguar Rescue Centre for a tour that morning and I had completely tuned out all the information about the snakes except this fun fact: Costa Rica is the world’s leader when it comes to anti-venom production.
I saw my neighbour walking by and squeaked in a very high-pitched voice, “Hola… can you come here for a second?” She took one look under the bush and cried in a rather hushed and awestruck tone, “It’s a boa.”
Read More: Puerto Viejo Costa Rica on the Caribbean Coast. All you need to know about Tortuguero National Park
We decided to call the Jaguar Rescue Centre as they have been known to come and move a snake further into the jungle, away from people. Easier said than done – the Spanish message on my phone had been telling me for a few days that my minutes were used up… but mañana .. mañana … there really had been no hurry to replenish my time. My neighbour had a limited number of minutes left. She called speaking rather hysterically and rapidly in Spanish. By the time the phone was handed to me for an exact address (there are no street numbers here), the boa constrictor was on the move.
His thick, long body snaked across the lawn through the tropical bushes slithering into the empty jungle lot next door. We thought that was the end of him until we heard screams. We knew he had appeared on the road.
Where was the man from the Centre? He needed to appear. I was getting impatient.
Babysitting a boa was getting nerve-wracking. Not that I didn’t appreciate his beauty. His markings were really stunning but where was the glass separating us?
The man from the Centre missed the boa by about two minutes. He had slithered away into the jungle across the road from me. Happy trails, Mr. Boa.
As I told people about the boa constrictor in my garden, I was met with various reactions.
“Oh, boas are such beautiful and rather shy creatures.”
“You are lucky it was a boa and not one of the venomous snakes!”
“Do you know that boas love kittens and chickens?” This comment had me checking under my bed every night for at least a month.
Truth be told, a boa constrictor’s markings are beautiful but I do hope that my sixty minutes of a close encounter with a boa constrictor in Costa Rica will serve me for a lifetime!
5 Facts About A Boa Constrictor In Costa Rica
- Boa constrictors are non-venomous snakes found in Costa Rica and throughout Central and South America. They are commonly found in rainforests, mangrove swamps, and near rivers and streams.
- The boa constrictor is a powerful predator, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself, such as monkeys, birds, and rodents. It kills its prey by suffocating it, wrapping its muscular body around the prey and constricting it until it dies.
- Boa constrictors are excellent climbers and can often be found resting in trees or coiled up on branches. They are also strong swimmers and can move quickly through the water to catch prey or escape predators.
- The average length of a boa constrictor in Costa Rica is around 3 meters, although some individuals have been known to reach lengths of over 4 meters. They are typically brown or gray in color, with a series of dark, diamond-shaped markings down their back.
- While boa constrictors are not aggressive towards humans, they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. If bitten, a person should seek medical attention immediately. In Costa Rica, it is illegal to kill or capture boa constrictors, as they are considered an important part of the country’s ecosystem.
I hope you don’t run into a boa constrictor in Costa Rica!
Until next time,
Oh i am not sure i will keep my self control ! Good text Alison !!!
I know… when I remember this story, I can’t believe it happened. I honestly looked under my bed for the rest of my stay, every single night!!