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Link to enlarge image K5741 © Justin Kerr Charles Zidar
ANCIENT MAYA ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Family:  Boidae
Genus:  Boa
Species:  constrictor
Authority:  Linnaeus, 1758
Common Name:  Boa Constrictor
Faunal Type:  Reptile/Amphibian
Depictions:  Polychrome Ceramics
Significance:  The boa constrictor may have been used by the Maya for trance dancing, a practice of skillfully manipulating the snake (Pohl 1983). The depiction on a vase from the Classic site of Altar de Sacrificios may demonstrate this ancient practice.
Notes:  See Rattlesnake Depictions...


Other Faunal Photos:   Additional views of the faunal species, click on a photo below to view larger image.
Artifact Photo(s) Courtesy of Justin Kerr (FAMSI); Animal Photo(s) Courtesy of Wikipedia GNU General Public License Version 1.2, November 2002; Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0/2.5 License(s).



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