Rosy Boa

(Charina trivirgata)

"Coastal Rosy Boa"

Color Photographs: Chris Brown, U.S. Geological Survey

Rosy Boa (Charina trivirgata)

Identification: Snake 24 to 44 inches in length. A stout snake. Body color variable, gray, to burgandy, to rosy red above. Back and sides with 3 vague stripes or indefinite darker blotches. Top of the head with many small scales between the two eyes. Underside of head without two pairs of enlarged chin shields. Underside cream-white, spotted with gray. Tail pointed, not blunt.

Geographical Variation:

Desert Rosy Boa (C. t. gracia): Back and sides with 3 distinctive stripes of rose, red-brown, or tan; outer margins of stripes regular. Range: Most of Southern California except along the extreme southwestern coast, extending eastward into southwestern Arizona except in the extreme south.

Coastal Rosy Boa (C. t. roseofusca): Back and sides with 3 stripes of pink, red-brown, or dull brown; margins of stripes irregular. Range: Coastal regions of southwestern California, extending southward through most of Baja California del Norte.

Mexican Rosy Boa (C. t. trivirgata): Three stripes on the back and sides contrasting rich brown, on a light background. Range: Extreme southwestern Arizona southward into northwestern Mexico and Baja California del Sur.

Range (see map on left): This species occurs in southern California, eastward into southwestern Arizona, and southward into the states of Sonora and Baja California.

Habitat: The Rosy Boa is primary found in desert or brushland. It is mostly commonly associated with permanent or intermitent streams.

Food: Small mammals and birds.

Behavior: This species is nocturnal or crepuscular. It sometimes climbs into shrubs and trees.

Reproduction:  The Rosy Boa is a live-bearer. Three to 12 young are born between October and November.

Rosy Boa (Charina trivirgata)

Similar Species:

Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)

Southern Rubber Boa (Charina umbratica)