Cuban Tree Boa

The Cuban boa (Chilabothrus angulifer), also known as the Cuban tree boa and by locals as Majá de Santa María, is a very large species of snake in the family Boidae. With lengths exceeding 5 m (16 ft) and a relatively heavy build, the Cuban boa is one of the largest snakes in North America. The species is native to Cuba and some nearby islands. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Etymology

The genus name Chilabothrus is from the Greek cheilos, meaning "lip", á "without" and bothros "pits". The specific name originates from the Latin word angirlus, meaning "angle", probably in reference to the angular shapes of the main elements of the dorsal pattern.

Geographic range

Chilabothrus angulifer is found in Cuba and on adjacent islands, including Isla de la Juventud (formerly called the Isle of Pines), the Canarreos Archipelago (the Cayo Cantiles), the Colorados Archipelago off the northern coast of Pinar del Río, the Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago (Cayo Guajaba and Cayo Sant María). The type locality given is "Cuba".

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Chilabothrus angulifer is forest of several varieties (rainforest, cloud forest, evergreen forest, semi-deciduous forest, thorn forest, coastal scrub forest), at altitudes from sea level to 1,214 m (3,983 ft). It has also been found in sugar cane plantations.

Description

The presence of labial pits, the shortest tail of the entire genus and supralabials separated from the eye result in the Cuban boa being the least derived species of the genus Chilabothrus. It is also the largest member of Chilabothrus. The Cuban boa has a quite massive body, of a size typical for a boa or python of far greater length.

Size

C. angulifer is the largest snake in Cuba and the West Indies, with specimens exceeding 5 m (16 ft) in total length (tail included) and 30 kg (66 lb) in weight. The largest individual measured 5.65 m (18.5 ft) long and was estimated at more than 40 kg (88 lb) in mass. Gundlach (1875, 1880) stated that he had seen individuals of about 6.4 m (21 ft) in total length. He also mentioned one large individual kept in captivity by him that had a length of 4.57 m (15.0 ft) and was collected at the Zapata Swamp, Matanzas Province. Rodríguez (1876) commented that the largest specimens are able grow up to 5.49 m (18.0 ft) long and 25–28 cm (9.8–11.0 in) in diameter. However, on average C. angulifer reaches 3.66 m (12.0 ft) in total length.

Coloring

Coloration brown with a pattern of staggered dark brown rhombic spots.

Dorsal pattern of 42–65 appressed, angulate, dark brown to black markings on a yellowish to yellow-tan ground, but often (western Cuba) without any dark colors in dorsal pattern, and pattern composed of indeterminate number of medium brown to pale tan, much-fused markings; tail patternless above, or with up to 12 darker dorsal markings.

Scalation