A new face has slithered into the Venom House.

Talk about striking! Our newest venom house resident is boa-sting some serious copper charm. Nicknamed Penny, this 13–year-old annulated tree boa has been settling in well in her new home.  

Our Herps & Aquatics team has cared for this species in the past, and we were excited when we had the opportunity to welcome another member, adding more biodiversity to this space.  

Annulated tree boas are arboreal, non-venomous snakes that reside deep in the jungles of Central America. They’re also known as ringed tree boas, a nod to their distinctive ring-like patterns. These snakes can display colors ranging from tan to deep orange, helping them blend in with the tree branches they traverse. Due to their arboreal nature, annulated tree boas give live birth, giving their offspring the best chance at surviving in their tree top homes.  

The Herps & Aquatics team has enjoyed getting to know Penny. As a nocturnal reptile, Penny spends most of her time exploring overnight, so our team monitors most of her activity through camera footage. So far, we’ve seen her checking out all of the perching in her habitat and tongue flicking as she takes in the smells of her surroundings.    

“We are still getting to know her, but she seems like a very inquisitive snake.” said Herps & Aquatics area supervisor Jenna. “Our team is looking forward to working more with her and see her personality start to show!” 

She has also begun meeting some of the other individuals within the habitat. She is active at the same time as our emerald tree boa, Forest, so we expect to have many interactions between them.  

While not yet endangered, the annulated tree boa population is decreasing in their native range due to threats like deforestation. We are proud to be able to educate visitors about this important and unique species. You can help these snakes and other rainforest-dwellers by purchasing sustainable products such as bird-friendly coffee.  

We hope to see you soon in front of our Venom House windows!

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.