Reptiles · Squamata · Boidae

Hispaniola Boa

Chilabothrus striatus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The Hispaniolan boa is a boa endemic to the island of Hispaniola. It belongs to the genus Chilabothrus of the subfamily Boinae. The records of this species from the Bahamas represent the former subspecies Chilabothrus striatus strigilatus, raised to species rank by Reynolds et al. (2013) and to be assessed separately.

Weight

2 kg – 5 kg

Size

1.8 m – 2.5 m

Lifespan

20 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestTemperate forestIslandsCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Reptile Rainforest Temperate forest Islands

2countries 4parks11same family

Fun facts

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.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & 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: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilabothrus_striatus