Haitian/Hispaniolan Boa

ANIMAL:
Haitian/Hispaniolan Boa Chilabothrus striatus

Type of Animal:
Boa/Python

Habitat:
Forests, damp woodlands, caves

Location(s):
Hispaniola & adjacent islands

Appearance:
Gray, brown, or reddish-brown ground color decorated w/ square to linear dark brown/maroon markings, fairly slender build

Food/Diet:
Birds, small mammals, lizards

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, herpetoculture, & breeders

Lifestyle:
Solitary or small groups of 1-2 males & 1-3 females

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Snakelet
Group: Knot
 
Weight:
Male: 1.5-2 lbs
Female: 4 lbs
Young: 3 oz

Gestation:
6.5-7.5 months 

Life Span:
10-20 years

Body Length:
Male: 5-7 ft
Female: 6-8 ft
Young: 1.5-2 ft

Main predators are hawks.
 
They’re very shy & secretive in the world.
 
They’re semi-arboreal w/ younger snakes being more arboreal than older snakes.
 
Active at night (nocturnal).
 
Like all boas, they’re ovoviviparous, giving birth to 6-30 live young.
 
Breed from February-May.
 
Largest snake in Haiti.
 
Like all boas, they kill prey by constricting & swallowing whole.
 
Like all snakes, skin shed in one piece.
 
There’s possibility that male-male combat helps trigger more successful breeding.
 
While stable, potential threats include deforestation, pet trade, & habitat loss.

Fun Fact(s):
Many individuals fairly docile while others rather defensive.
 
They may musk if agitated but often calm down w/ more frequent handling.
 
Becoming more popular in pet trade but are rare in captivity.

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