Epicrates cenchria
(Linnaeus, 1758)
EP-ih-KRAY-teez — SEN-kree-uh
SSAR 9th Edition Comments:
Newly listed species. Native to the Amazon Basin of South America with a disjunct population in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. It was introduced via the pet trade in Gainesville, Alachua County, Hollywood, Broward County, and Bushnell, Sumter County, Florida (Krysko et al., 2011, Zootaxa 3028: 1–64), and is established around Turkey Point Power Plant, Homestead, Miami-Dade County, Florida (Asher and Krysko, 2024, Reptiles & Amphibians 31(E22335): 1-2.
(Krysko, Kenneth and Travis W. Taggart. 2025. Established Exotic Species. Pages 64-87 in Kirsten E. Nicholson (Editor), Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in Our Understanding, 9th Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence, Kansas. 87 pp.)
Range maps are based on curated specimens and provided gratis by CNAH.
(Created by Travis W. Taggart; Version: 2025.03.30.20.30.32)
Download GeoJSON polygon range file: - 0.14 MB
Province/State Distribution:
United States: Florida
Taxonomic Etymology:
A beautifully iridescent boa named for a classical Greek reference to armor and decoration.
Epicrates — From Greek epi- (ἐπί), “upon,” and kratos (κράτος), “power” or “rule.” Could be interpreted as “supreme ruler” or “overlord,” possibly reflecting the strength and constricting power of the boa.
cenchria — From Latinized Greek kenchria (κενχρίς), a term for a type of grain (millet) or speckled pattern. Possibly refers to the characteristic ringed or mottled appearance of the scales.
First instance(s) of published English names:
No historic English names have been assigned to this taxon yet.
Catalog of American Amphibians and Reptiles
The Reptile Database
GenBank
USGS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database
Selected References:
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1758
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Linné, Carl von (=Linneaus). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [System of Nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species with characters, differences, synonyms, places.] 10th Edition, Volume 1, L. Salvius, Stockholm. iv + 826pp.
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2011
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Krysko, Kenneth L., Joseph P. Burgess, Michael R. Rochford, Christopher R. Gillette, Daniel Cueva, Kevin M. Enge, Louis A. Somma, Jennifer L. Stabile, Dustin C. Smith, Joseph A. Wasilewski, Guy N. Kieckhefer III, Michael C. Granatosky & Stuart V. Nielsen. Verified non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: Outlining the invasion process and identifying invasion pathways and stages. Zootaxa 3028(1):1-64
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2024
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Asher, Jonathan G. and Kenneth L. Krysko. The Rainbow Boa, Epicrates cenchria
(Linnaeus 1758) (Squamata: Boidae),
another established non-native snake in Florida Reptiles & Amphibians 31(E22335):1-2
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