Boas

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The Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus) is a thin, mainly terrestrial, viviparous boa with a dark brown coloration. An adult male will grow about six to nine feet long. The Puerto Rican boz feeds on small mammals, birds and lizards. It is currently on the endangered species list.

The Puerto Rican Boa is endemic to the island of Puerto Rico. Related species are found in the neighboring islands of Culebra, Vieques and Mona. It is more common on the karst region in the northern half of the island. 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.

Pregnant females give birth to over twenty live young boas.

The Puerto Rican boa should not be confused with the dangerous Boa Constrictor (see below).

Boa constrictors have been caught in Barrio Miradero in Mayagüez and neighboring cities. It is said that some boas escaped from the Mayagüez zoo and reproduced in the wild. Boa constrictors are dangerous animals. If you should spot one, avoid any interaction with it and contact Departamento de Recursos Naturales ((787)999-2200) at once. Boa constrictors should not be confused with the Puerto Rican Boa, a native species in danger of extinction.

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