The Conservancy's North Idaho land steward, Justin Petty, was recently lucky enough to find this creature--a rubber boa--while hiking in the Selkirk Mountains, near Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area.Boas in Idaho? It may seem strange to find a boa, a snake in the same family as the boa constrictor and anaconda, in Idaho's forests. The rubber boa is actually one of only two boa species found in North America.
The rubber boa is a very docile reptile; in fact, it is often used by therapists to help people overcome severe phobias to snakes. It has a flat tail that looks like a second head. The snake raids mice and shrew nests, and that "second head" serves as a decoy so that animals defending their nests bite the tail instead of the head.
Rubber boas are not at all rare. But count yourself lucky if you see one: They are mainly active at night, and are very secretive, so most Idahoans never know they're around.
The North Idaho forests hold many interesting species. While most people hope to see a grizzly bear or a caribou or a wolverine, keep an eye out for other creatures, too. There just may be a boa under your feet.--Matt Miller
Photos by Justin Petty.
15 comments:
i have actually found 2 of these critters in idaho, one just a week ago near idaho city, trying to find it on the internet, was at best fairly difficult, as all of the web notes dont list it. so i went to washingtons site, and lo and behold, i found it. rubber boa, who'd'a thunk it?
I found one of these near Kendrick Idaho and have been up on the web all night trying to figure out what it was
We saw one that was on its last legs (ha) on the trail to Meadow Creek Cabin past Selway Falls.
I just surprised what I believe to be a rubber boa sunning itself on my patio in the city. I wondered why I haven't seen any mice yet this season. At first I thought I had forgotten to put the hose away and then remembered that the hose wasn't tan. I hope he/she sticks around. They are preferable
to mice.
I found a live one on the trail next to cub river at Willowflats campground. Also a dead one that had been driven over near the campground.
I found one trailside next to the cub river headed up towards the spring. We also found a roadkill one in the campground. I was very suprised to find we have a boa in Idaho.
After finding your blog, I checked my field notes from geologic mapping on a ridge, north of the Salmon River, near Shoup Idaho in Aug 1979, I had noted a strong rubber smell at 7600', before discovering an 18" wormlike snake coiled up with its tail protruding, and head concealed. I left it alone. A reclusive friend recognized the creature which I described as a rubber boa.
Jeff Spence
After finding your blog, I checked my field notes from geologic mapping on a ridge, north of the Salmon River, near Shoup Idaho in Aug 1979, I had noted a strong rubber smell at 7600', before discovering an 18" wormlike snake coiled up with its tail protruding, and head concealed. I left it alone. A reclusive friend recognized the creature which I described as a rubber boa.
Jeff Spence
Just found one in my yard in Coeur d Alene. Had no idea what it was until I found this site.
Found two within a half mile of each other stretched across a dirt road near Arbon valley in late September. North bull canyon road. Picked them up and showed them to my little girl got her to hold it and relocated them both to the side of the road.
I found one of these on a hike in SE Idaho (the old Bear Gulch Ski canyon). It must have been a newby as it was only about 5" long. I thought it was a nightcrawler until I realized it had eyeballs! Whoda thunk?!
I just found one of these under my ducks pool in Lenore...creepy looking! Don't really care to see more ;)
I just found one of these under my ducks pool in Lenore...creepy looking! Don't really care to see more ;)
I saw one of these snakes in Hells Canyon this past weekend (09/27/14) on a trail above Eckels Bar. It was near the trail and moved down hill fast when I approached it. Didn't know they existed here.
Moved to Weiser Idaho two years ago. We live out in the west end of the valley. Just found one in the yard, he was about 2 1/2ft long! Interesting color, kinda greenish on the bottom.
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