Acrantophis dumerili
male in Reserve Reniala, Madagascar
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Genus:	Acrantophis
Species:	A. dumerili
Binomial name
Acrantophis dumerili Jan In Jan & Sordelli, 1860
Synonyms[3]
Acrantophis dumerili Jan In Jan & Sordelli, 1860 Acrantophis dumerilii — Jan, 1863 Boa dumerilii — Boulenger, 1893 Acrantophis madagascariensis dumerili — Stull, 1935 Acrantophis dumerili — Guibé, 1949 Boa dumerili — Kluge, 1991

Acrantophis dumerili, commonly known as Dumeril's boa,^[1] is a species of non-venomous snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4][5]

Etymology

The specific name, dumerili, is in honor of French herpetologist André Marie Constant Duméril.^[6]

Description

Adults of A. dumerili usually grow to 6.5 feet (2 m) in total length (including tail)^[7] with the maximum reported to be 8 foot, 6 inches (259 cm). Males usually have longer skinnier tails, while females tend to be larger overall.^{[citation needed]}

The color pattern consists of a gray-brown ground color with darker patches, forming an effective camouflage against the leaf litter of the forest floor of their native habitat.^{[citation needed]}

• 
• 
  in London Zoo
• 
  in Isalo National Park, Madagascar

Distribution and habitat

A. dumerili is found on Madagascar. The type locality given in the original description is "Amérique mérid. ?", which is later given as "?" by Jan (1863).^[3]

Along the western coast and southwestern regions of Madagascar, it is found in a semi-arid habitat that gets fairly low amounts of precipitation.^{[citation needed]}

Conservation status

The species A. dumerili is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List for the following criteria: A1cd (v2.3, 1994).^[1] This means that a population reduction of at least 20% has been observed, estimated, inferred or suspected over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat, and based on actual or potential levels of exploitation.^[8] The species was last assessed in 2011.^[1]

A. dumerili is also listed as CITES Appendix I, which means that it is threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for example for scientific research.^[9]

It is threatened by deforestation and human persecution. In some areas it is feared and often killed on sight. Although some native lore would relate stories of the souls of the tribes ancestors being in the snake skins, because patterns of faces on the sides of the snakes are interpreted, making them religiously sacred and therefore not dangerous to some cultures.^{[citation needed]}

Feeding

The diet of A. dumerili consists of small animals, such as birds, lizards, and small mammals, including juvenile lemurs. It is also known to prey on other snakes.^{[citation needed]}

Reproduction

In A. dumerili sexual maturity is reached within 3 to 5 years of age. Males have anal spurs, which are used in courtship. The mating season is March through May, and the young are born some 6 to 8 months later. Ovoviviparous, females give birth to a litters of 6-28. Neonates are 12-18 inches (30–46 cm) long.^{[citation needed]}

Captivity

Once exported from Madagascar in great numbers, trade in A. dumerili has since been heavily restricted. The species is, however, quite prolific in captivity, and captive bred individuals are easy to find in the exotic pet trade. Though its size makes it more suited to someone experienced with large constrictors, it has a typically docile nature, and readily feeds on rats. The main concern is that it is prone to stress, which can sometimes cause it to stop eating or can contribute to other health issues.^{[citation needed]}