Hog-Islands Boa

Boa imperator (Cayo Cochinos subpopulation)

Commonly called the Hog Island boa, the Hog-Islands boa is smaller than most boas. Additionally, it has a pink coloration that sets it apart from other boa species. Unfortunately, these two factors have made this snake a target in the pet trade.

What They Eat 

These nonvenomous snakes eat small mammals, birds and lizards. They kill prey by constriction.

Where They Live

They live only on the Cayos de Cochinos Islands, or Hog Cays. This is a group of about 15 small islands about ten miles off the coast of Honduras. The Hog-Islands boas are only found on the two main islands, Cayo Mayor and Cayo Menor, which together comprise a little over one square mile of land.

What They Do

There is little information about Hog Island boa behavior in the wild. They are calmer than their mainland counterparts, presumably due to the lack of predators on the Hog Islands. Unfortunately, their docile nature further adds to their attractiveness in the pet trade.

How They’re Doing

Hog Island boas are endangered and have an extremely small population. Intensive collection for the pet trade began in the 1970s and nearly eliminated the population. Thanks to the designation of the Cayos Cochinos as a marine protected area in 1993, collection of wild Hog Island boas has been greatly reduced and the population is now believed to be stable.

Where in the World  

Central America

Habitat 

Forest, scrubland, grasslands, inland wetlands

Conservation Status 

Animal Facts

Body Length: 5–6 feet
Number of eggs: 11–21 per clutch
Lifespan: 20 years

Taxonomic Category

Reptile, snake

Where at the Zoo

Zoomobile
Tropics Trail

  • The scientific name of this snake has changed many times over the past few years and will continue to change as more is learned about this species.
  • Many Hog Island boas found in the pet trade have been cross-bred with other boa subspecies.
  • While there are roughly 15 islands in the Cayos de Cochinos, only the two larger islands have freshwater.
  • In 1993, a protected marine area was created that included the Hog Islands and five surrounding miles of ocean. This created an area of roughly 285 square miles that is protected from commercial fishing, harvest and development.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies Hog Island boas as “endangered.” They have an extremely small population, due in part to the tiny islands on which they are found. They became popular in the commercial pet trade because of their more docile nature, smaller size and unique pink coloration when compared to their mainland boa counterparts. Intensive collection for the pet trade began in the 1970s and quickly reduced the population. By the 1990s, Hog Island boas were thought to be extinct in the wild. Thanks to the designation of the Cayos Cochinos as a marine protected area in 1993, collection of wild Hog Island boas has been greatly reduced and the population is now believed to be stable. Surveys conducted by Operation Wallacea have estimated about 700 adult Hog Island boas on Cayo Menor. Genetic research has shown that the population has not suffered significant loss in diversity and that continued conservation efforts would be beneficial. With so few individuals and such a small range, the Hog Island boa population is highly vulnerable to disease and natural disasters. Additionally, habitat destruction is a concern as invasive palm species have spread through Hog Island boa habitat on Cayo Mayor. Lastly, as more tourists visit these beautiful islands, feral dogs, cats and rats can impact Hog Island boa survival, especially for young snakes. If you are considering a Hog Island boa as a pet, make sure it has been captive-bred and did not come from the wild. Although illegal collection of this snake in the wild has been reduced, it has not been eliminated entirely.