Tropidophiidae
Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa
HarmlessTropidophis caymanensis






6 photographs of the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa. © Dan Schofield.
The Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis caymanensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Tropidophiidae family, recorded in 2 countries.
- Family
- Tropidophiidae
About the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa
Tropidophis caymanensis, or the Cayman Islands dwarf boa, is a species of snake in the family Tropidophiidae and is classified as critically endangered. It is endemic to the Cayman Islands.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa
- Is the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa venomous?
- No. The Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa (Tropidophis caymanensis) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa dangerous?
- The Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa live?
- The Cayman Islands Dwarf Boa has verified records in 2 countries, including Cayman Islands, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Tropidophiidae snakes
Northern Eyelash BoaTropidophis boulengeri
Cuban Dwarf BoaTropidophis melanurus
Haitian Dwarf BoaTropidophis haetianus
Northern Bahamas TropeTropidophis curtus
Ambergris Cay Dwarf BoaTropidophis greenwayi
Brazilian Dwarf BoaTropidophis paucisquamis
Spotted Brown TropeTropidophis pardalis
Feick's Dwarf BoaTropidophis feicki
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Tropidophiidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Tropidophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Tropidophis caymanensis
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.