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Yellowstone National Park A juvenille lion peers from behind trees
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Yellowstone National Park
Rubber Boa
A rubber boa snake
Scientific name: Charina bottae

Identification
  • Infrequently encountered in Yellowstone, perhaps due to its nocturnal and burrowing habits.
  • One of two species of snakes in the United States related to tropical boa constrictors and pythons.
  • Maximum length of 24 inches.
  • Back is gray or greenish-brown, belly is lemon yellow; scales are small and smooth, making it almost velvety to the touch.
Habitat and Behavior
  • Eats rodents.
  • May spend a great deal of time partially buried under leaves and soil, and in rodent burrows.
  • Usually found in rocky areas near streams or rivers, with shrubs or trees nearby.
  • Recent sightings have occurred in the Bechler region and Gibbon Meadows.

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Summer Crowd at Old Faithful.

Did You Know?
At peak summer levels, 3,500 employees work for Yellowstone National Park concessioners and about 800 work for the National Park Service.
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Last Updated: June 11, 2009 at 10:43 MST