Adult Jamaican boas can grow up to two metres long - about as long as a tall adult. They are not venomous; instead, like all boas, they use their strong muscles to squeeze their prey gently before swallowing it whole.
These snakes are excellent climbers and spend much of their time up in trees, especially near caves. In fact, they often hunt near the entrances of bat caves, waiting patiently for bats to fly past at dusk. Caves across Jamaica are home to millions of bats, which makes a very reliable dinner for the boas.
Jamaican boas only live in Jamaica - they are endemic to the island. Because their forest habitat has shrunk over time, they are a protected species, which means it is illegal to harm or collect them.
Local Jamaicans sometimes call the boa 'nanka' or 'yellow snake'. Country people often welcome them near farms because they keep rat populations under control - a very helpful neighbour for any farmer.