A large, non-venomous snake native to the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. As one of the top native predators on the island, this boa plays an essential role in keeping rodent and bird populations in check. Despite its size and impressive appearance, the Hispaniolan boa is harmless to humans and is more interested in hiding quietly than in causing any trouble.

Their coloration typically includes dark brown or black markings on a background of lighter brown, tan, or gray. These patterns provide excellent camouflage in forested or rocky areas, helping them blend into the leaf litter or the cracks and crevices of limestone hills. Their scales often have a slight iridescent sheen, especially under sunlight or flashlight beams at night, giving them a subtle rainbow-like glow.

These boas are mostly nocturnal and tend to be secretive and solitary, spending much of their time hiding in burrows, tree hollows, or under rocks during the day. At night, they emerge to hunt, using their strong bodies to constrict and subdue prey. Their diet includes small mammals, birds, lizards, and occasionally amphibians. In some areas, they are known to climb trees and shrubs in search of birds or eggs, using their prehensile tails to grip branches and move with surprising agility.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Dominican Republic

2015

Haiti

2015