Meet the Boa Constrictor
You wouldn’t want a hug from this big snake! Boa constrictors don’t actually hug. Instead, boas use their big, powerful bodies to squeeze other animals to death. Boas squeeze so hard the animals can’t breathe.
Boa constrictors are 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) long. They are about as long as a car. These snakes can weigh more than 60 pounds (27 kilograms).
A Boa’s Body
Boa constrictors are covered with scales. All snakes have these small pieces of hard skin. Snakes shed their scaly skin as they grow.
All snakes are cold-blooded reptiles. Their bodies are the same temperature as the air and ground around them. Boas lie in the sun to warm their bodies.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is the average length of a boa constrictor?
A. 3 to 5 feet.
B. 11 to 15 feet.
C. 6 to 10 feet.
2. Why do boa constrictors lie in the sun?
A. To warm their bodies because they are cold blooded.
B. To warm their bodies because they are warm blooded.
C. To cool their bodies because they are cold blooded.
A. To warm their bodies because they are cold blooded.
B. To warm their bodies because they are warm blooded.
C. To cool their bodies because they are cold blooded.
Your Thoughts
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Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.