The Puerto Rican Boa is one of the three families of snakes that exist on the island of Puerto Rico. It has a unique head shape and disorderly scale arrangement.

It is the largest native species of snake and typically grows to a length of 6 or 7 feet, although 12 foot long specimens have been reported. The Boa's color varies from tan to dark brown with 70 to 80 crossbars or spots which are outlined in very dark brown.

The boa feeds on rats, mice and bats. When very young its feeding is limited to small lizards, insects and other invertebrates. Non-poisonous, they kill their prey by asphyxiating them with the powerful coils of their body. It is not known whether the Boa can kill the agile Mongoose, but allegedly, the Mongoose does not cause a serious threat to the Boa population.

The boa may be found on the ground or in trees. In some areas of the forest the Boa hangs from branches, vines and rock ledges at the mouths of caves and when bats brush by them or collide with them they capture and eat them. Not easily seen in the forest, they have been encountered during daylight hours stretched out on a tree branch near Yokahu tower.

REASONS FOR CURRENT STATUS: Historical records  dating back to the 17OO's indicate that  the boa was relatively abundant until it was killed for its oil that was exported. To make things worse. its habitat was cut back from tree cutting and housing developments. Eventually an expedition from the U.S. Natural Museum visited Puerto Rico in 19OO to try and catch one but  the boa had become so rare that no specimens could be collected. It's possible  that the mongoose, introduced into Puerto Rico in the 19OO's, has  further lowered the boas population but there is no direct evidence to support this idea.