So peaceful that it cures snake fear. She even

A rubber snake, also known as a rubber boa constrictor, is one of the smallest boas. If the rest of his relatives stretch to the size of a garden hose – 4-5 meters, then the maximum of our hero is 80 centimeters. This one will not even reach one bed.

The snake compensates for its modest size with incredible vitality. A rubber boa constrictor adapts to any incomprehensible situation: it will dive into a river, and climb a rock 3,000 meters high, and find the right path in dense forests, and will not disappear in an open field. In general, any biome of the American continent is subject to it. Even in cold weather, the snake does not care, unlike most cold-blooded reptiles. And all because this boa constrictor is not completely cold-blooded.

While the others show off their size, the rubber kite quietly travels across America.

Unlike most snakes, whose life processes are completely dependent on the environment, our hero is able to control his body temperature. When dubachello sets in, the rubber kite increases the heart rate. The blood flow accelerates, and the body warms up. Of course, this mechanism does not work as cool as in warm-blooded mammals. But this is quite enough to become the northernmost boa constrictor in the world.

But in terms of danger, a rubber snake approaches a toy one. She has no venom, no fangs, no violent temper. Therefore, everyone who is not lazy to rot the reptile: cats, raccoons, coyotes. In the event of force majeure, our hero has two options. Option number one: try to get out as soon as possible and as far away as possible.

If option number one is not an option, the kite assumes a defensive stance: it curls up into a ball, just like a hose from grandfather in the country, hides its head and exposes its tail to the enemy. The fact is that the head and butt of a rubber boa constrictor look the same – the animal does not have a neck. While the enemy is beating the boa constrictor in the ass, hoping for the imminent death of his prey, the snake is waiting for the moment until he can finally kick the gas and dump.

But do not feel sorry for the rubber kite. After all, he also does not stand on ceremony with his prey. His diet includes everything smaller than him: lizards, chicks, eggs and even other snakes. But the core is rodents. The snake takes all its victims to suffocate – a classic boa technique. But the hunting tricks of our hero do not end there. In hunting, he also uses the head butt to his advantage.

If the snake has found a lair with mice, hares and other charms, he will devour them without a twinge of conscience. But the trouble is: most often such a tender yummy is guarded by an angry mother, who does not like it when her children are eaten. What to do? Show your tail!

While the head is eating the babies, the tail distracts the parent, “attacks” her. The poor mother-mouse in a fit of rage does not notice how the contented boa constrictor has already swallowed all her daughters and son in a hurry to retreat.

Snakes make their own babies once a year. Rubber snakes are ovoviviparous. At one time, the female can give birth to up to 4 babies with a length of lace – 20 centimeters. At first, the cubs will look like worms. But in general, the young are completely independent.

But for human children, a rubber boa constrictor is the best friend. The reptile behaves so peacefully in human hands that this species is used to treat herpetophobia – the fear of snakes. Therefore, the reptile fully justifies its name. He’s like a rubber toy. Only alive.