Are there any snakes in the El Yunque National Forest?
Yes, there are 5 or 6 species of snakes that live in the forest. They are rarely seen, are non-poisonous and pose no threat to humans. The largest of these is the Puerto Rican Boa which can reach a length of 6 feet. It is a tree climbing predator, hunting at night for small animals and bird eggs. It can sometimes be seen at lower elevations coiled-up and sleeping during the day. The other snake species found in the forest are much smaller and do not climb trees and so are much harder to find. To read more about the Puerto Rican Boa check-out EYNF Wildlife Facts-November 2002.
