Corallus – Neotropical tree boas

Aa group of beautiful, non-venomous snakes known as tree boas, found mostly in the rainforests of Central and South America and the Caribbean. These snakes are masters of life in the trees, with long, muscular bodies, sharp senses, and stunning colors that help them blend into the dense jungle canopy. One of the most famous members of this genus is the emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus), recognized for its brilliant green body, white zigzag patterns, and habit of resting in a coiled position on tree branches like a living ornament.

What makes Corallus snakes especially unique is their incredible adaptation to arboreal life. Their prehensile tails act almost like a fifth limb, allowing them to grip and balance as they move through the treetops. They’re strong climbers and rarely come down to the ground, spending most of their lives wrapped around branches where they can wait silently for prey. They’re ambush predators, using their excellent night vision and heat-sensing pits—specialized organs near their mouths—to detect warm-blooded animals like birds, bats, and small mammals, even in total darkness. When the moment is right, they strike quickly and powerfully, coiling around their prey and constricting it before swallowing it whole.

One fascinating trait across Corallus species is the wide variety of colors and patterns they can have. While the emerald tree boa is the most dazzling example, other species like the Amazon tree boa (Corallus hortulanus) come in a wide range of colors—orange, brown, yellow, gray, and even red—often with intricate patterns. This variety has made them popular among reptile enthusiasts, although they can be feisty and are best admired from a distance in the wild.