Chilabothrus strigilatus explained

Chilabothrus strigilatus, also known commonly as the Bahamian boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae. The species is endemic to the Bahamas. There are five recognized subspecies.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of C. strigilatus are forest and shrubland, but it has also been found in gardens.

Diet

Large adults of C. strigilatus prey upon both warm-blooded (birds, rodents) and cold-blooded (frogs, lizards) animals. Smaller adults and young prey predominately on lizards of the genus Anolis.

Reproduction

C. strigilatus is viviparous and reproduces every other year.

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominate subspecies:

• Chilabothrus strigilatus strigilatus (Cope, 1862) – Bahamian boa – New Providence Island, including Rose Island, Eleuthera Island, Long Island and the Exuma Cays near Andros Island, the Bahamas
• Chilabothrus strigilatus ailurus Sheplan & Schwartz, 1974 – Cat Island boa – Cat Island and Alligator Cay, the Bahamas
• Chliabothrus strigilatus fosteri Barbour, 1941 – Bimini boa – Bimini Island, the Bahamas
• Chilabothrus strigilatus fowleri Sheplan & Schwartz, 1974 – Andros boa – Andros Island and Berry Island, the Bahamas
• Chilabothrus strigilatus mccraniei Sheplan & Schwartz, 1974 – Ragged Island boa – Ragged Island, the Bahamas

Etymology

The subspecific name, fowleri, is in honor of herpetologist Danny C. Fowler.^[1]

The subspecific name, mccraniei, is in honor of American herpetologist James R. McCranie.^[2]

Further reading

• Barbour T (1941). "A New Boa from the Bahamas". Proceedings of the New England Zoological Club 18: 61–65. (Epicrates strigilatus fosteri, new subspecies).
• Cope ED (1862). "Synopsis of the Species of Holcosus and Ameiva, with Diagnoses of new West Indian and South American Colubridæ". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 14: 60–82. (Homolachilus strigilatus, new species, p. 71).
• Schwartz A, Henderson RW (1991). Amphibians and Reptile of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural History. Gainesville: University of Florida Press. 720 pp. .
• Schwartz A, Thomas R (1975). A Check-list of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 216 pp. (Epicrates striatus ailurus, E. s. fosteri, E. s. fowleri, E. s. mccraniei, E. s. strigilatus, pp. 185–186).
• Sheplan BR, Schwartz A (1974). "Hispaniolan boas of the genus Epicrates (Serpentes, Boidae) and their Antillean relationships". Annals of Carnegie Museum 45: 57–143. (Epicrates striatus ailurus, new subspecies, pp. 81–83; E. s. mccraniei, new subspecies, pp. 83–85; E. s. fowleri, new subspecies, pp. 87–90).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. [species:Bruce R. Sheplan|Sheplan BR]