A medium-large constrictor (up to 7 ft) endemic to Puerto Rico. Closely tied to bat caves — they're famous for catching bats in mid-flight at cave entrances.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The Puerto Rican boa, most commonly known as Culebrón, is a large species of boa endemic to Puerto Rico. It is a terrestrial and arboreal snake with a pale brown to dark brown coloration. It grows to 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in length. It feeds on small mammals such as rodents and bats, birds and sometimes anole lizards. Like most boas, it is viviparous and kills its prey using constriction.
Source: Wikipedia — Puerto Rican boa Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Large brown snake with dark angular markings; smooth scales; small head.
Similar species. Other Caribbean boas. Burmese Python (much larger; non-native).
Voice. Hisses defensively.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Birds, lizards, small mammals; constrictor.
Behavior. Largest native snake in Puerto Rico. Federal endangered status proposed; populations have declined due to habitat loss, predation by introduced mongoose, and killings by humans.
§ Range
Puerto Rico
§ Habitat
Forests, rocky outcrops, caves
§ Threats
Habitat loss, persecution, hurricane impacts.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the puerto rican boa is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support Puerto Rican forest conservation. Don't harm boas.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Puerto Rican boa
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Chilabothrus inornatus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 39773
- iNaturalist · taxon 29488
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Chilabothrus inornatus
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources
- IUCN Red List 2017
