baby Jamaican Boa saved and looking for insight.

[JaBoa]

hey im new here, just got a snake actually, so im still in the process of learning all about it. I actually found and saved a baby (about a 12" long) Jamaican boa from my dog the other day while doing some gardening (dont worry, it was'nt hurt, but i was sure my 2 jack russels would definately go back for her), yup, it was in my back yard (i was born and raised in jamaica and I'm still living here) and up til the other day i had known very little about (what we call "Yellow Boas") but now im addicted, I love my new snake. I already have a brand new setup for her, and I have a need to learn as much about her as I can, so if anyone has any feeding tips(what to feed her, how often...) for one this young, or on anything else about them the knowledge would be much appreciated, and ill be sure to keep the board updated on her growth with pics and all.

Thanks
Simon Levy

[JonD]

Nice job on saving the little one!! I have never had a Jamaican boa, and they are pretty rare here in Canada. Other members here might be able to answer your questions, just wanted to say welcome to ssnakess!!

[Simon Sansom]

Hi Simon,

Welcome!

Please excuse my other post on the other thread - some trouble with my html, lol!

Anyway, as the Jamaican Boa (Epicrates subflavus) is classified as an Appendix 1 animal by CITES and is in critical shape in the wild, I'd be leery of keeping it. However, I confess to ignorance of your local fish and game laws, etc.
I would find a wildlife rehabilitation center, or an actual conservation officer and ask their advice. They may have a better place for it, or may know of someone running a research program, etc...

The youngsters can be difficult to feed, unless you can supply them with small Anolis lizards, or geckos, or tree frogs...However, seeing as you're right smack in the natural habitat, procuring suitable prey items wouldn't be difficult - but again, PLEASE check with your local game laws before you do anything.

Let us know what you find out. This is quite fascinating.

Cheers!

Simon R. Sansom

[JaBoa]

Well Simon, i was concerened about the same thing...about keeping him, but ive done a bit of asking around and vets and people that know about the snake said it's safe to keep, just take good care of it. ive heard there arent good places to take the snake near where i am, plus i now love the lil boy, and here he'll get 100% one on one attention. Feeding him isnt a prob, i have tonnes of lizards around my yard and he has eaten. and so far he's looking very happy and healthy (my vet said he's in good condition as well . I'll upload some pics soon. I can understand you being concerned about the snake's best interest, and im proud to say so am I...so just for reassurance, he's in good hands.

I'll keep you posted.

i would still welcome more feeding tip for future reference, problems that might occur, how to prevent/fix them and so on.
thanks

Simon Levy

[scalawag]

Wish I had some advice but just wanted to say good luck and welcome aboard!

[JaBoa]

Just Uploaded some pics of my baby, feel free to check them out under my members gallery. Enjoy..tell me what you think.

[Simon Sansom]

Simon, I was unable to see any pics in your gallery...

I'll e-mail you some more pics of my guys later on.

Glad you checked around, and took the animal for an examination. I feel a lot better knowing that you aren't going to be locked up, anyway!

Talk to you later.

Simon

[Linds]

I'm faaaaaaar from being an expert, but that doesn't look like a neonate Jamaican boa (Epicrates subflavus) I'm not familiar with the other Jamaican Boa (Dwarf) so I cannot comment on that.

Neonate male

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22kiss-med.jpg">

Same snake as a two year-old

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22mj01.jpg">

[JaBoa]

Well Linds, im far from an expert myself, but i was told by several people that know the snake as well as a vet that it is indeed a jamaican boa, im not saying there's a possibility that it isnt, but i was told it is. I'm presuming that the snake will change colour as it ages to more resemble what youve posted, but as far as im concerned it wouldnt bother me either way, i love the lil thing. . I'll find out as it ages and ill keep the board posted. all i care about is that its ok and it isnt poisonous.....THAT would suck (but i know its not...apart from being checked by a vet "there are no poisonous snakes in Jamaica" Thanks for your concern all the same...We'll find out for sure all in due time

Lates

[Jeff Hathaway]

JaBoa,

That is a great find! What part of Jamaica are you in? I was there about 10 years ago on a field research course at Discovery Bay Marine Lab, and we toured many areas of the island. I remember seeing and holding adult boas at a little tourist stop (where some James Bond movies were filmed). Great snakes, though I don't know much about keeping them in captivity apart from babies being tough to feed. Corey Woods could probably help you out.

I was under the impression, though, that there were very few left in the wild, except for perhaps a couple of areas of the island. There are actually quite a few here in Canada, probably more than any other country, as they were apparently bred at the Reptile Breeding Foundation by the late Tom Huff with plans to send the babies back to Jamaica. As I understand it, the Jamaica government refused to issue the CITES import permits for them to go back, so they all ended up in the Canadian pet trade. Quite an interesting story about conservation and politics.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

[TheRedDragon]

Wow! What an awesome find JaBoa! I've been wanting a pair of Jamaican Boas for quite some time now, they're a very beautiful snake. Good luck with the little one, and, welcome to sSnakeSs.

[Paul McCleary]

Hi Simon!

Judging by the photos in your gallery, I think Lindsay is correct in presuming that your snake isn't the endangered Epicrates subflavus. It's more likely to be one of the three species(?) of Tropidophis (or subspecies of Tropidophis haetianus if you subscribe to that taxonomic allocation) indigenous to Jamaica >>> either jamaicensis, stejnegeri or stullae. Try the following key:

http://evo.bio.psu.edu/webkey/query....is&state=start

Tropidophis sp. are commonly referred to as Dwarf Boas and in Jamaica their vernacular is 'Thunder Snakes'. These are smaller snakes than Epicrates and are more fossorial/terrestrial and reclusive. While not endangered, I understand that many Jamaican populations of Tropidophis are threatened...

Interestingly - and along the lines of what Jeff Hathaway was mentioning - I've heard it said that there may be fewer Epicrates subflavus in the wilds of Jamaica than there are in captivity elsewhere in the world! In addition to Canada, this taxon is well represented in Europe - particularly Belgium and the U.K. I can't recall for certain, but I believe our greatly-missed Tom Huff received his foundation animals from the late/great author & naturalist Gerald Durrell at the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust in the Channel Islands...

[JD@reptiles]

Hey JaBoa.

I just bought a condo down there. Next time i come down i will ID it for you. i presuming you are in western jamaica? i hope to do a feild survay of jamaican boas next time i am there. maybe I can do feild survay around your area. are you in negril?

Take care

Jordan

[JaBoa]

Sorry JD, Im in Kingston... other side of the island. But if you do come down maybe we con work something out, i'd love to have a positive id on him/her. ill take some close ups one of these days and maybe you can try id him/her from that.

Laterz
Simon

[ChristinaM]

Simon, What a beautiful snake, I love the first pic in your gallery. I've been following this thread with interest.

How's your snake doing? Has he eaten for you yet?