Lichanura trivirgata

Overview

Rosy boas are heavy-bodied, smooth-scaled snakes with small heads and vertically elliptical pupils. Three lengthwise stripes, often contrasting with a pale grey or cream ground colour, are characteristic. However, colour varies and overlaps across populations, so it does not separate every proposed species.

The 2008 study examined mitochondrial variation in 131 rosy boas across southwestern North America under a broad species concept. It reconstructed geographical isolation, dispersal and secondary contact across Baja California. This historical sampling includes forms separated by later taxonomic treatments.

The Reptile Database records Cope, 1861 and Cape San Lucas as nominal type locality. It notes a 2024 treatment using roseofusca for the northern lineage, with orcutti as synonym, but calls taxonomy unsatisfactory. Broad historical ranges cannot settle strict species boundaries.

Origins & earliest records

Under the study's broad rosy-boa concept, mitochondrial lineages support historical isolation and secondary contact hypotheses, not ancestor–descendant chains or the strict species' history alone.

Evidence & interpretation

Curated taxonomy, institutional morphology and indexed phylogeographic abstract.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Novel patterns of historical isolation, dispersal, and secondary contact across Baja California in the Rosy Boa (Lichanura trivirgata)

   Wood, Fisher and Reeder · 2008

   Selected bibliography; Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 46:484–502.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Ranks follow CNAH. The Reptile Database also gives Charinaidae/Charinainae notation, and other systems use Charinidae.

1. OrderSquamata
2. FamilyBoidae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Taxonomic databaseLichanura trivirgata — The Reptile DatabaseResearch access: 2026-10-07
2. Specialist species accountLichanura trivirgata — Center for North American HerpetologyResearch access: 2026-10-07
3. Institutional species accountRosy Boa — Oakland ZooResearch access: 2026-10-07
4. Indexed research metadata and abstractWood et al.: broad rosy-boa phylogeography (2008)Research access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.