Reptile · GBIF taxon 2465219
Puerto Rican Boa
Chilabothrus inornatusAlso known as Culebrón, Puerto Rican Tree Boa
Draped across mossy branches or limestone cave ceilings, Puerto Rican boas are skilled nocturnal hunters capable of plucking bats directly from the air as they emerge at dusk. These non-venomous constrictors rely on subtle thermal cues and scent to track prey across dense rainforest foliage and karst landscapes. Local conservation efforts and forest recovery now help protect their remaining strongholds across the island.
EndemicNocturnalReptile
1 / 4—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Cave bats
- Black rats
- Anole lizards
Predators
- Small Indian mongoose
- Feral cats
- Red-tailed hawk
ThreatsHabitat loss, invasive predators like mongooses and feral cats, and road mortality
HabitatsSubtropical moist forests, dry forests, caves, and rocky karst terrain
Life span20 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBoidae
- SpeciesChilabothrus inornatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Non-venomous, but capable of a sharp defensive bite if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its dark brown to grey patterned body reaching up to nearly two meters in length.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance, avoid flash photography, and never attempt to handle or capture wild individuals.
Responsible observation
- Observe from a distance: Give the snake plenty of room to move without feeling cornered or threatened.
- Cave entrances: Scan overhead vines near karst cave mouths around dusk to spot individuals hunting bats.
- Leave undisturbed: Avoid handling or touching this legally protected native reptile.
Close Relative Close Relative Close Relative 
Distant Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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