Jamaican Boa
Jamaican boa is a non-poisonous boa species snake found only in Jamaica. There are no recognized subspecies of this snake. It is the largest, native, terrestrial predator in the Jamaican island.
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Vertebrata |
Class | Reptilia |
Order | Squamata |
Suborder | Serpentes |
Family | Boidae |
Subfamily | Boinae |
Genus | Epicrates |
Scientific Name | Epicrates subflavus |
Other Names | Yellow Snake |
Length | Up to 2 m |
Weight | Around 5 kg |
Color | Anterior area and head portion is golden yellow with black crossbars, the color becomes black towards the posterior part of the body |
Distribution | Jamaica |
Habitat | Moist limestone forests, woodland habitats, swampland, moist woodland, mangroves |
Diet | Adults feed on rodents, bats, birds, while juveniles feed on lizards, frogs |
Predators | Cats, dogs, pigs, mongoose |
Venom Fact | Non-venomous |
Breeding Season | Between February and April |
Mode of Reproduction | Ovoviviparous (producing young ones by means of eggs hatched inside the body of the parent) |
Litter Size | 5 to 44 |
Average Lifespan | In Wild: Around 24 years In Captivity: More than 30 years |
IUCN Conservation Status | Vulnerable |