Hog Island Boas

Synonym

Boa constrictor imperator (LINNAEUS, 1758)

Natural Distribution

Found off the coast of Honduras, on the archipelago of Cayos de Los Cochinos (Cayo Mayor & Cayo Menor).

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Approximate Size

Males 1.2-1.4 meters (4-4.5 ft.)
Females 1.5-1.8 meters (5-5.5 ft.)

Conservation Status

CITES Appendix II³

Characteristics

Hog Island Boas are naturally hypo in color, featuring orange tail saddles with clean, background color, and light speckling.

“Hog’s” as they’re affectionately called by keepers, are unique in the way they can vary in coloration. Being light in color in in the early morning hours, their color hue tends to darken throughout the day. Our group of pure Hog Island Boas have reduced speckling and vibrant orange tails.

Description

In the 1980’s Hog Island Boas were heavily collected, decimating wild populations. Unfortunately, it is estimated that over 5,000 boas were collected for the pet trade in only a few short years ⁽¹⁾. Fortunately, increased protection of the islands, following the creation of the Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area (CCMPA) in 1993⁽²⁾, these boas are now protected in their natural habitat. Hobbyists are quite lucky to have the opportunity to be able to worth with this lovely subspecies, since they remain protected in the wild.