The Puerto Rican Boa
Scientific Name: Epicrates inornatus | Current Range: Puerto Rico (PR)
The Puerto Rican boa, or culebron, is the largest of the native species of snakes on Puerto Rico, reaching a length of 1800-2000 mm (6-7 ft.), although unverified reports claim that larger individuals (9-11 ft.) have been observed. The color of live specimens is somewhat variable, but usually ranges from tan to very dark brown, sometimes grayish, with 70-80 dorsal blotches (indistinct cross-bars) from neck to vent. Some specimens show hardly any traces of spots on their dorsum. An irridescent sheen is present in freshly molted individuals.
The Puerto Rican boa is widely distributed on Puerto Rico and, although it is found in moist, wet, and rain forests, it seems more abundant in the karst regions (mogotes-limestone hill formations) found on the northern coast of the island. Apparently their preferred habitat, the mogotes, provides such features as wooded areas, rocky places (i.e., retreats), tree cavities, caves, forests, and forest edges, which seem to be important requirements of the boa. Besides rocks and trees, access to openings in the forest canopy so that the boas may bask in the sun is apparently another important habitat requirement.
A wide variety of mostly warm blooded prey is consumed by adult boas. Prey taken by both adults and subadults include rats, mice, birds, and bats. The boa is nocturnal or crepuscular, like all other species of Epicrates. Thus, the species becomes active and leaves its diurnal retreat at night or twilight in search of prey. Prey is apparently hunted in nearby trees or from any suitable structural component (i.e., rocks at a cave entrance) of their habitat.
Juvenile boas are restricted to smaller prey than adults. Lizards, large insects and small amphibians are probably included in the diet of small boas. Lizards are readily taken by captive specimens. Insects have been documented as prey. Feeding habits of the very young are unknown.
No other details on food habits or food preferences are available based on current information.
Reproductive information on the Puerto Rican boa is scarce. Little is known about its breeding habits and parental care of young. Population of this species is unknown including population estimates.
Potential predators of the Puerto Rican boa include the Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), the feral cat (Felis domesticus), the red-tailed hawk (Bueto jamaicensis), the pearly-eyed thrasher (Margarops fuscatus), the red-legged thrush (Mimocichla plumbea), and the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Saurothera vieilloti).
Cause of decline. . .
The present status of the puerto rican boa has probably resulted from the significant reduction of the species habitat, intensive hunting, and predation by introduced mammals.
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