Boidae is the snake family that contains boas, including the common boa constrictor. Boids are non-venomous constrictors that subdue prey by wrapping around it and restricting its breathing and circulation.
The family includes several well-known snakes, such as boa constrictors, anacondas and tree boas. They occur mainly in the Americas, although some related boids are native to islands and other regions. Members differ greatly in size, colour and habitat.
Boidae is distinct from Pythonidae, the family containing pythons. Both groups constrict prey and are often confused, but they have separate evolutionary histories and geographic distributions. Boas generally give birth to live young, whereas many pythons lay eggs, although reproductive details vary among snakes.
The common boa constrictor is not the same animal as the green anaconda, but both belong to Boidae. The family name comes from the genus Boa.