rubber boa

snake

Also known as: Charina bottae

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The rubber boa (Charina bottae) is a harmless snake found in the moister regions of western North America. It is known for its smooth, supple appearance, blunt tail, and typically grows to less than 18 inches long. It is also referred to as a ball snake or two-headed snake.1

The rubber boa belongs to the family Boidae, which includes a variety of nonvenomous constricting snakes, commonly known as boas. While the term "boa" can refer to several snake families, true boas are divided into two subfamilies: Boinae and Erycinae. The rubber boa is part of the Erycinae subfamily, which are often terrestrial and burrowing snakes found in arid or semi-arid habitats.2

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boa
The brown, 45-cm (18-inch) rubber boa (Charina bottae) of western North America is the most northerly boa and is a burrower that looks and feels rubbery. The 90-cm (35-inch) rosy boa (Charina trivirgata), ranging from southern California and Arizona into Mexico, usually is brown- or pink-striped.
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The brown, 45-cm (18-inch) rubber boa (Charina bottae) of western North America is the most northerly boa and is a burrower that looks and feels rubbery. The 90-cm (35-inch) rosy boa (Charina trivirgata), ranging from southern California and Arizona into Mexico, usually is brown- or pink-striped.
Read More