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Stevie-eff
Snake mite
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
 Posted - 02/05/2011 : 08:12:01
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I have been wondering, what purpose does the Brazilian rainbow boa’s colour serve in its natural habitiat?
The colouration of snakes such as the gaboon viper and green tree pythons is pretty obvious, camouflage.
I can’t see that bright red colouration and iridescent skin are a form or camouflage in a tropical rainforest! I have spent hours trawling through the internet looking for an answer but as BRB’s are better known in the pet world rather than their natural habitat it is hard to find answers.
Has anybody got any ideas about this?
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JKCarter
New Member
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2011 : 11:14:47
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I think that the BRB's colors do serve the same purpose as the gaboon viper and the GTP's, camouflage.
I remember reading in an interview somewhere that 20-30 years ago the BRB's that were being imported weren't nearly as brightly colored. Most were more muted and darker in color, being more of an "earth tone". Through selective breeding and artificial selection breeders have been able to get the brighter colors we see today. While this doesn't serve the BRB in the wild, it has become what we look for today when selecting a baby BRB.
Just my thoughts.  |
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boas (Vinni & Scarlet)
1.0 Yellow Niger Uromastyx (Taji)
0.1 Crested Gecko (Unnamed)
0.0.1 Ball Python (Val)
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2011 : 12:08:40
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When an animal is mostly nocturnal it can pretty much be any colour. When it is out and about in the daylight (which would be quite rare) it's pattern would help it blend in to it's surroundings and break-up it's shape, and it's iridescence wouldn't really be noticed because it's doubtful that it would be in the open, but more likely to be curled-up in some leaf litter. If a predator did spot it in the open, perhaps the iridescence helps keep the predator at bay knowing that most brightly coloured animals are that way to advertise their toxicity, but I kinda doubt that a predator would even pick-up on iridescence.
A prime example of all of that is the Blood Python. One might wonder why it evolved with such intense colouration (reds, yellows, oranges, etc.) and that's because it would so rarely be found out in the open that it simply doesn't matter. You're more likely to find them submerged in muddy water, or buried in the mud itself. I'd say that perhaps the extreme colouration helps them spot each other at mating time, but we all know they're not really a visual type of animal, but instead rely on tracking one another down via smell. |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2011 : 17:51:34
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| I think you guys have nailed the two sides of the theory pretty well. Jonathan and Todd, well done! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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BRB colouration
