Epicrates cenchria maurus is a subspecies of Epicrates cenchria, in the family of Boinae, found in Amazon region of South America. Common name is Colombian rainbow
boa. While a terrestrial species, with its moderate size and weight it has a semi-arboreal life. Rainbow boa's are known for their attractive iridescent sheen on their scales in the sunlight.
Size and weight- The Colombian rainbow boa is moderate in size, 4 to 6 feet average. There is clear size differences between males and females, with females generally being significantly larger, in both length and girth, than males.
Coloring- Generally uniform brown in color with large dark edged vertebral rings, with light centers forming saddles, this may also appear as a slightly off-center 'S' pattern. Through a process of metachrosis, they have a day to night color change. Primarily noticed in that their pattern will become a lighter almost silver and have a molted silver sides and bottom. Although individuals of abnormal colors and patterns exist, for example those that exhibit pigmentation disorders such as albinism, they are very rare in the wild, but are often found in captivity where these mutations are often prized.
Rainbow boas are solitary, associating only to mate. Boas are polygynous and ovoviviparous, thus males may mate with multiple females and give birth to live young. Females invest considerable maternal energy in their offspring since their young develop within the mother's body. The young are able to develop in a thermo-regulated, protected environment and they are provided with nutrients. Young are born fully developed and independent within minutes of birth.