Kingdom Animalia Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Boinae Scientific name Chilabothrus inornatus Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Genus Chilabothrus Phylum Chordata | |
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Chilabothrus inornatus puerto rican boa
The Puerto Rican boa or yellow tree boa (Chilabothrus inornatus) is a species of slender, terrestrial, viviparous boa with a dark brown coloration. It grows to about 1.8–2.7 m (5 ft 11 in–8 ft 10 in) in total length. It feeds on small mammals, birds, and lizards.
Contents
- Chilabothrus inornatus puerto rican boa
- Geographic range
- Feeding behavior
- Reproduction
- Current status
- References
Geographic range
The Puerto Rican boa is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. It is more common in the karst region on the northwestern tip of the island.
Feeding behavior
The boa feeds by seizing the prey in its jaws, wrapping several coils around the victim, and then constricting until the prey has suffocated. The prey is then swallowed head first. The feeding habits of the very young are unknown. However, locals claim they eat small lizards, other small vertebrates and some insects.
Since the karst region in which the Puerto Rican boa lives usually has many caves, the boa has the opportunity to feed on bats. It was previously unknown how the boa managed to capture the bats in flight. Observations revealed that boas hang at the opening of the cave, waiting until bats fly out of it. Then they grab a bat with their jaws before killing it via constriction.
Reproduction
Pregnant females give birth to about 23-26 live boas.
Current status
Historic records, some dating back to the 18th century, indicate that during the first few centuries of Spanish colonization in Puerto Rico the boa was relatively abundant, and oil produced from the snake's fat was utilized extensively as an export. Impacts to the boa resulting from the oil trade were undoubtedly heightened by a concurrent reduction of habitat. Deforestation of the island began during this period and continued until, by the early 20th century, very little natural forest remained. When an expedition from the U.S. Natural Museum visited Puerto Rico in 1900, the boa had become so rare that no specimens could be collected. Predation by the mongoose, introduced into Puerto Rico in the 20th century, has been postulated as a further cause for the boa's present status, but there is no direct evidence to support this idea. There is an indication that the boa has recovered somewhat in recent years, although not to the degree that protective measures can be dropped. To prevent its extincion, a few conservation efforts have done, including a conservation area for it in Bosque Estatal San Patricio in Guaynabo.