They seem to be more common where there is moisture such as streams or moist soil underground, although the surface soil may be dry. Cool Biology Facts. The chubby look and loose skin give the rubber boas get their name. The bones of the tail are fused into a solid block that is very strong. Rubber boas often eat young rodents, and they probably use the blunt tail to defend ward off the adult rodents.
Many snakes have scars on the tail from rodent bites.
Unlike most snakes, rubber boas seem to prefer cool temperatures, and are often active throughout the middle of the night. Rubber boas occur widely in Washington, and can be locally common, even though they may be difficult to observe. Their populations appear to be healthy. Habitat destruction is probably the major threat to local populations of rubber boas. Photograph by Brad Moon.