Ike's Exotics & Aquatics

Awesomeness

We are proud to play a small but critical role in the conservation of Virgin Islands tree boas.

In collaboration with the and , the Zoo is breeding Virgin Islands boas as part of the USFWS Recovery Plan for this species. Last year, in 2021, the Zoo successfully reproduced two pairs of Virgin Islands tree boas resulting in four offspring. This is a first for the Zoo, and these tiny snakes are an important first step in developing a sustainable conservation-breeding group of boas for reintroduction.

Virgin Islands tree boas are arboreal snakes that are harmless to people and threatened by invasive species and development on multiple Caribbean islands. Only six fragile populations remain. Their tiny size, weighing only 3.5 grams at birth, is highlighted in this photo taken by keeper Justin Elden!