Species profile
About this species
The Madagascar tree boa is a medium-sized, non-venomous constrictor endemic to Madagascar, typically reaching lengths of 1.5 to 2 metres. It displays variable colouration ranging from green to reddish-brown, which provides excellent camouflage amongst the foliage of its forest habitat. The species is arboreal & nocturnal, spending much of its time coiled in trees where it ambushes prey such as small mammals & birds.
Tropical & subtropical moist lowland forests & humid montane forests across Madagascar, where the boa shelters in trees & dense vegetation near rivers & forest edges.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Madagascar tree boa with us in Madagascar.
These departures are part of our Africa programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Night-time hours are ideal as this species is nocturnal & most active after dark. The wet season from November to April increases activity levels, making sightings more frequent in suitable forest habitat.
Use a macro or short telephoto lens to capture fine scale detail without disturbing the snake, as close approach can cause stress. Bring a headtorch with a red-light setting to locate & illuminate the boa at night without startling it or affecting its natural behaviour. Shoot in RAW format to allow recovery of shadow detail in low-light forest conditions, & use a tripod or image stabilisation to avoid camera shake during long exposures.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Madagascar tree boa
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.