Scientific Name: Epicrates inornatus
Class: Reptilia**
Order: Squamata**
Family: Boidae**
Genus: Epicrates**
Species: E. inornatus**
Native to: the Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands
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Overview:
* Size: Puerto Rico boas are large snakes, averaging between 5-7 feet in length, with some specimens reaching up to 10 feet.
* Coloration: They have a dark brown or black coloration, with a light brown or tan underbelly. Their scales are smooth and shiny, giving them a sleek appearance.
* Diet: Puerto Rico boas are carnivorous and primarily prey on rodents, such as rats and mice. They may also consume other small mammals, birds, and lizards.
* Hunting Behavior: Puerto Rico boas are nocturnal hunters and typically ambush their prey. They lie coiled in wait for an unsuspecting animal to pass by, then strike quickly and wrap around their prey, suffocating it.
* Reproduction: Puerto Rico boas are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young that develop inside eggs that remain within the mother. The gestation period lasts for about 6 months, and females can give birth to up to 20 babies at a time.
* Lifespan: The average lifespan of a Puerto Rico boa in the wild is about 20 years, although some individuals may live for up to 30 years in captivity.
* Conservation Status: The Puerto Rico boa is listed as a threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has been declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and the introduction of non-native species like mongooses and rats. Conservation efforts are in place to protect this important native snake species.