Hispaniola Boa

• It is an unwitting ally against rats: much of its diet today consists of introduced rodents, and in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic where it is left alone it plays a considerable part in pest control.
• Direct persecution is its greatest threat: it is killed out of superstition and fear despite being completely harmless to people.
• Like all Caribbean boas it is viviparous and gives birth to fully formed young after six months of gestation.

Skeleton type

Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)

Habitat and environment

Dry and moist forest, karst scrub, caves and rural areas of Hispaniola

Sexual maturity

3 years

Gestation / incubation

6 months of gestation

Litter / clutch size

20 live young

Sources consulted: Wikipedia (es): Chilabothrus striatus

The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.