It's Earth Day 2013

Posted on the 22 April 2013 by Doggone
The taxonomy name is Epicrates cenchria cenchria, the taxonomic name for it attributed to Linnaeus in 1758. This is a photo of a Brazilian rainbow boa; exquisitely beautiful. Rainbow boas are found across South America, particularly in humid woodland habitats, including the Amazon basin. They are generally considered the most beautiful snake in the world.
I've never had the fear or aversion to snakes (or spiders) that so many people have. Rather I see these glorious creatures as being every bit as entitled to exist, to co-exist, on this planet as we are. I was particularly struck by the intensity of color, reminding me of some exotic birds, which in evolutionary development came from reptiles.
Happy Earth Day! Think about bio-diversity today, both plant and animal, and how it enriches us all, in so many ways both practical and aesthetic.

Continuing the pretty picture aspect of Earth Day celebration: