The rubber boa, Charina bottae, is found throughout Idaho, but usually in small numbers. It is usually nocturnal, subterranean, and quite shy, and is probably very common. It has "spurs" near the vent, which actually were legs back in history. It is a long-lived snake, probably attaining well over 50 years of age. It is usually very slow-moving and docile. I've never had one try to bite, despite handling well over 100.


They usually curl up and hide their head.



Rubber boas don't get very big; 2 feet long is a nice one.



A youngster, probably a yearling, in hand.







They have a blunt tail, and at first glance, it's difficult to tell which is the head, and which it the tail.

We only have 5 species of snakes in Manitoba. 3 species I have only encountered a hand full of times.

Not counting the Roadside michelin tyre DOR's as one.

Northof50 -

What are the five species in Manitoba?

Rubber boas are pretty cool. I've found several in the Cle Elum Washington area. I also was surprised to find one along the Ohanapecosh River in Mount Rainier National Park, a very wet and mossy environment, completely different than around Cle Elum. The boa I found near the river was a yellowish olive green, quite a bit different than those in eastern Washington. Probably blended in with the mossy environment better.

Wonderful shots of them, Jack. They look like melting rubber. And they live so long.

Im still on lookout for one . I always look carefully driving in the driveway in case one is enjoying the road.

What preys on them Gulo?
They look like they would be delicious to predators.

Boco -

I imagine they are scooped up by skunks, foxes, and the occasional coyote. I know for a fact that racers take and eat them. Horned owls and red-tails also. They are extremely oily, so I imagine you're right; nice little snack.

Jack

Very beautiful specimen of reptile. Eric

Northern hognose*
Common garter
Northern Red bellied*
Plains garter
Red sided Garter
Smooth green*
*rarely encountered by myself
I can not tell the difference of the Garter snake types
One of the most interesting areas is the Narcisse snake dens where 10,000 snakes can be seen coming out in the spring
They use the limestone cracks below the frost lines they concentrate in. ( this area is a famous sharp-tail grouse hunting area as well)

Neat snakes, and they don’t poop on you like garter snakes do.