A rare and elusive snake found only on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean — making it an island endemic and a very special part of that island’s biodiversity. It’s a member of the boa family and is closely related to the more well-known Amazon tree boa but it is smaller, more localized, and less studied, which gives it an air of mystery. It lives mostly in forested and mountainous areas, where it spends much of its time coiled in trees, blending into the foliage thanks to its cryptic coloration.

One of the most interesting features of Cook’s tree boa is its arboreal lifestyle. It is a nocturnal, tree-dwelling snake, using its strong, prehensile tail to move gracefully through the branches. Its coloration tends to be a mix of browns, grays, and sometimes rusty or reddish tones, which help it camouflage in the tree canopy. Though not venomous, it is a constrictor, meaning it subdues its prey — typically small birds, lizards, or rodents — by coiling around them and squeezing before swallowing whole.

What makes Cook’s tree boa distinct from its mainland relatives is not just its size and habitat, but also its extremely limited range. It’s only known from St. Vincent and nowhere else in the world, which means its population is especially vulnerable to habitat loss, introduced predators like mongooses or cats, and human disturbance. Although it’s not as famous as other island reptiles, it plays a key role in controlling local populations of small animals, making it important for the island’s ecological balance.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Saint Vincent

NT

2015