Protected under the WildLife Protection Act

Jamaican Boa

Class: Reptilia

Appearance

The Jamaican Boa or Yellow Snake (Epicrates subflavus) is black and yellow in colouration.  Reported sightings of snakes up to 3 metres (10 ft.) in lenght have been made.

Habitat

Reports suggest a wide distribution across the island, including the Blue Mountains, Southern St. Thomas, Hellshire Hills, Portland Ridge, Clarendon and Cockpit Country, St. Elizabeth.  Found in mesic forests and wetlands, and also in dry scrublands forests of the southern coasts.

Feeding Habit

The Boa feeds on birds, rats and other small animals.

Survival Threats

Destruction of habitat through deforestation and development.

Predation by introduced species, such as dogs, feral cats and mongoose which eat the young.

Outright killing on sight by man, owing to the mistaken belief that they are dangerous. They are not poisonous.

Burning of canefields.

Why They Need Protection

The Boa have always been considered as being rare, by virtue of its secretive and largely nocturnal habits.

The status is unknown.  Most of the available reports on the occurrence of this species relates to encounters with outlying village communities and/or cultivation areas.

Protection By Law

Listed as a Protected species under the Wild Life protection Act (1945)

Listed under Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade of Endanged species of Wild Fuana and Flora

Hunting in Forest reserves is also prohibited under the Forest Act (1996)