Hispaniolan Boa

About the Hispaniolan Boa

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Hispaniolan Boa

Is the Hispaniolan Boa venomous?

No. The Hispaniolan Boa (Chilabothrus striatus) 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 Hispaniolan Boa poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hispaniolan Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Hispaniolan Boa dangerous?

The Hispaniolan Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Hispaniolan Boa live?

The Hispaniolan Boa has verified records in 6 countries, including Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bahamas. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Why is it called the Hispaniolan Boa?

The subspecific name warreni is in honor of C. Rhea Warren who collected herpetological specimens on Île de la Tortue.

Where it is found

More Boidae snakes

• 
  Puerto Rican Boa
  Chilabothrus inornatus
• 
  Cuban Tree Boa
  Chilabothrus angulifer
• 
  Bahamian Boa
  Chilabothrus strigilatus
• 
  Jamaican Boa
  Chilabothrus subflavus
• 
  Southern Bahamas boa
  Chilabothrus chrysogaster
• 
  Hispaniolan Gracile Boa
  Chilabothrus gracilis
• 
  Virgin Islands boa
  Chilabothrus granti
• 
  Abaco Island Boa
  Chilabothrus exsul

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

Boidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Chilabothrus

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Chilabothrus striatus

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.