The Cuban boa or Cuban tree boa is a large, muscular, heavy-bodied snake of the boa family that is endemic to Cuba and some of its nearby islands. Its most distinguishing feature is that it hunts in packs. Though the genus name means ‘lips without pits’, this is the only species that having labial pits.
Scientific Classifications
- Suborder:Serpentes
- Family:Boidae
- Genus:Chilabothrus
- Species:C. angulifer
Conservation Status
Description
Size
A full-grown Cuban boa can be up to 12 ft (3.66 m) long, with the longest recorded snake of this species measuring 18.5 ft (5.65 m). Its weight can reach up to 66 lbs (30 kg).
Color and Appearance
The body color of the Cuban boa is yellow-brown with dark brown or black detailed geometric markings on its sides and back. A pearly layer covers its body, giving it a rainbow glow. It resembles the rainbow luster of gasoline floating in water and is viewed best post-molting. It has a dark-colored snout and vertical pupils. An extra row of scales separates its eye from its lip. Needle-like sharp teeth in its upper and lower jaw point backward, towards its throat.
Are They Dangerous to Humans
Like most other boas, this snake has a mild manner and isn’t inclined to bite. However, some individuals might tend to bite but don’t pose any real danger as they are non-venomous. But you may be left with a mark thanks to its razor-sharp teeth.
As pets, they are very calm with a cool temperament.
Cuban Boas at a Glance
Distribution
It is found in Cuba and the islands adjacent to it, like Isla de la Juventud, the Colorado Archipelago off the northern coast of Pinar del Rio, the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago, and the Canarreos Archipelago.
Habitat
It prefers forests of various types like rainforests, evergreen forests, cloud forests, semi-deciduous forests, coastal scrub forests, thorn forests, etc., at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1214 m (3983 ft). It can also be found in sugarcane plantations.
Lifespan
It lives more than 20 years in captivity.
Predators
Humans mostly kill it accidentally or out of fear. But it is also used as food.It is itself the largest terrestrial predator of its native land, Cuba.
Diet
The Cuban boa mainly feeds on bats but will also take birds, juvenile tortoises, mice, and other small rodents. It constricts its prey and swallows it whole.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young)
Between April and June, males compete to court a female that only mates every alternate year. The female’s fertility is more dependent on its size than its age. Post mating, the females are pregnant for 5-6 months, with the ambient temperatures affecting their gestation period. The litter size varies between 2 and 30. The bigger the size of the female, the bigger the litter and the babies.
Care Sheet
Size of the Enclosure: 72” (length) x 30” (width) x 18” (height) with ample stout branches.
Temperature: The temperature gradient should be between 80°F and 72°F. The night temperatures can fall to the 50s as long as the day temperature rises to 80°F.
Humidity: The humidity level in the cage should be 55-80%.
Substrate: Newspaper, peat litter, or bark.
Source
i.pinimg.com, westindianboas.org, media.kidadl.com, researchgate.net, biolib.cz, img.freepik.com
