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Madagascar Tree Boa


Madagascar Tree Boa
Photo Information
Copyright: Andrea Piazza (elefantino) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1123 W: 115 N: 2184] (14406)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-09-05
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon F100, AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f2.8 ED, Fuji Velvia 50
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Snakes - Serpientes - Serpents [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-04-12 11:04
Viewed: 14677
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 27
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
MADAGASCAR TREE BOA
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Family Boidae
Genus Sanzinia
Size Length: up to 2 m

Status:
The Madagascar tree boa is classified as Vulnerable (VU A1cd) on the IUCN Red List 2003 and is listed on Appendix I of CITES.

Range:
The Madagascar tree boa occurs throughout the island of Madagascar except for the most south-westerly corner.

Habitat:
This boa lives in Madagascan forests, from lowland tropical forests and dry forests to humid upland forests.

Biology:
Whilst known as a ‘tree boa', this snake is less arboreal than other tree boas, using trees only when hunting. It is a nocturnal snake, feeding on small mammals and birds, seeking them out using the heat-sensitive pits around its mouth that enable it to hunt for warm-blooded prey in complete darkness. The victims, once captured, are constricted by the powerful coils of the boa which tighten as the prey struggles, restricting the blood flow to the heart and ultimately causing circulatory failure. Boas are not venomous.
Boas all give birth to live young - the Madagascar tree boa usually gives birth to fewer than 12 offspring at a time. Pregnancy lasts for six months and the young emerge at just 25 cm long and are red in colour. They attain their adult colours gradually throughout their first year of life.

Threats:
Habitat loss through deforestation for human settlement and agricultural practices has meant that the Madagascar tree boa is restricted to the remaining protected areas of Madagascar. This amounts to just 10 – 20 % of the original primary forest on the Island.
axiotea, giacomosg, Fisher, sily, cecilia, smirnese, anavazao, vanderschelden has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: Madagascar Boaelefantino 1 09-14 01:37
To giacomosg: Madagascar Boaelefantino 1 04-13 02:14
To viv: Madagascar Boaelefantino 1 04-13 01:49
To maurizio50: Boaelefantino 1 04-12 11:12
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Critiques [Translate]

Certo che con questi individui perdo la voglia di andare in madagascar!

Ciao Andrea, very interesting note..and I hope that this ( and others) species doesn't get extinct..nice one..TFS..All the best..Marilyn

Hello Andrea,
I like the lighting and DoF you have captured here with the Boa. The lighting is very good as it allows a look at the snake in its own realm.
Steve

Brrrrr, Andrea,
a giant Boa, I wouldn't like to see it in free nature! Anyway a wonderful shot, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 292 W: 3 N: 653] (3317)
  • [2006-04-12 15:46]
  • [+]

Hi Andrea,
I just put an cobra on TN funny but I must say yours is much better, at that time I did not have digital.
I am a little bit jalous on yours+
Great capture
Vivian

Bella foto Andrea.
Sono un pò ignorante nella fotografia ma l'immagine mi sembra troppo contrastata.
Comunque il soggetto è notevole.
complimenti
ciao
Giacomo

  • Good 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2006-04-12 17:36]

Hi Andrea,

Well done on the effort and composition.
Your lighting unfortunately was against you. Keep trying.

Mike

  • Great 
  • sily Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 239 W: 6 N: 395] (1934)
  • [2006-04-12 17:46]

Magnificent photo of the magnificent snake, nice capture and artistic moment!

Well done Andrea, and I also like your note,the snakes looks great aside from the shadow...
Well captured...

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2006-04-12 23:16]

Very nice shot of this reptile Andrea. Full of details and a very good lighting. Well done on the compo too. Thanks !

Mario

Wow, what an impressive snake ! I love the way he's rolled around the tree. Good sharpness and details, nice lighting and nice posture of the boa, I wonder what he's lloking at...
Well done !
Valerie.

Salve Andrea
bellissima ed inquietante,guardando le tue fotografie soffro un po' d'invidia,sia per la qualita' tecnica di esse,sia per i luoghi ove scatti le fotografie...chissa' che non capiti anche a me un domani.
Per quanto riguarda la mia attrezzatura,dispongo di una Canon350D,obiettivo sigma 105mm macro.
Che dire..buon lavoro e buon divertimento.

Ciao Andrea,
Great capture!Good timing and POV,nice colours, and sharp details.How would it look like if the shadows were slightly enlightened and the highlights darkened a bit?
Grazie
Serhan

wow,
great perspective with nice colours, details, composition, note,light and idea!
Nice work!
Thanks ana:)

Andrea,
I went to Madagascat this time:-).
Interesting capture. You must be pretty nervous capturing such a reptile?
Well done
TFS
Annick

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