Boidae
Virgin Islands boa
HarmlessChilabothrus granti
The Virgin Islands boa (Chilabothrus granti) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 4 countries.
- Family
- Boidae
About the Virgin Islands boa
Chilabothrus granti, also known commonly as the Virgin Islands boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is native to the Caribbean.
Etymology
The specific name, granti, is in honor of American herpetologist Chapman Grant.
Geographic range
C. granti is found in Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of C. granti are forest and shrubland at altitudes from sea level to 100 m (330 ft), but it has also been found in gardens.
Diet
C. granti preys upon frogs (including Cuban tree frogs), lizards (Anolis and Iguana), and other snakes.
Predation
In Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands boas may be eaten by some growth stage of invasive boa constrictors.
Reproduction
C. granti is viviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Virgin Islands boa
- Is the Virgin Islands boa venomous?
- No. The Virgin Islands boa (Chilabothrus granti) 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 Virgin Islands boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Virgin Islands boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Virgin Islands boa dangerous?
- The Virgin Islands boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Virgin Islands boa live?
- The Virgin Islands boa has verified records in 4 countries, including Virgin Islands (U.S.), Virgin Islands (British), Puerto Rico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Virgin Islands boa eat?
- C. granti preys upon frogs (including Cuban tree frogs), lizards (Anolis and Iguana), and other snakes.
- Why is it called the Virgin Islands boa?
- The specific name, granti, is in honor of American herpetologist Chapman Grant.
Where it is found
More Boidae snakes
Puerto Rican BoaChilabothrus inornatus
Hispaniolan BoaChilabothrus striatus
Cuban Tree BoaChilabothrus angulifer
Bahamian BoaChilabothrus strigilatus
Jamaican BoaChilabothrus subflavus
Southern Bahamas boaChilabothrus chrysogaster
Hispaniolan Gracile BoaChilabothrus gracilis
Abaco Island BoaChilabothrus 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 granti
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.