The rainbow boa occurs over a wide area in the wild, with its range extending from Costa Rica and Panama in Central America southwards. The species occurs to the east of the Andes across much of South America, down as far as northern Argentina, being found in rainforest and wetland areas. Depending as to which source you prefer, there are nine to eleven recognised subspecies. These are distinguishable by pattern, scale count and locality, although the validity of some is still being debated.
Iridescence and colour change