Cuban Boa

The body of the Cuban Boa is long and slender, mostly brown with dark brown spots. A layer of pearl tone covers its body dorsally, sometimes generating a rainbow glow. It is not venomous, having an aglyphous dentition (conical teeth that do not inject venom).

It is a semi-arboreal species with crepuscular habits. During the day, it hides in tree cavities or under rocks.
It reaches sexual maturity at the age of 3 years and its reproduction is viviparous. It mates between March and June and incubation lasts about 4 months.
Its vision is relatively poor, relying almost exclusively on its sense of smell. It smells through its tongue, which picks up particles in the air, which are then carried to the Jacobson's organ (inside its mouth) where the smells are decoded.

It is an endemic species of Cuba and can be found in several protected areas of the country. Although it is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN, it is assessed as "Near Threatened" in the National Red List of Cuba.

The main threats to the Cuban Boa are habitat loss due to agricultural activities and urban expansion. Forest fires, tourism, and the use of the species in rural medicine practices are also threatening factors, although to a lesser extent. At the same time, Cuban Boas are often captured because they cause fear to local populations and to be used as a food source.