Alerts
Please be advised that some of our bird aviaries are closed!
Your Toronto Zoo is committed to the health and safety of the animals in our care. We are taking proactive steps to protect our birds from Avian Influenza, and as a result some birds may be off display.
Please note the following animals that may not be viewable at this time:
Australasia Pavilion
Southern hairy-nosed wombats are currently not viewable.
Australasia reptiles (black tree monitor, red-bellied short-necked turtles, red-tailed green rat snakes, emerald tree boas, green tree pythons, Stimson’s pythons, Lau banded iguanas) are off display
Canadian Domain:
Closed for the season.
African Savanna:
Some animals may not be viewable due to decreasing temperatures.
Kids Zoo
Closed for the season.


Location at the Zoo:
Americas
Region: Endemic to the island of Jamaica and Goat Island, off the southeast coast.
Jamaican Boa
Known as the Yellow snake, the Jamaican Boa is the largest terrestrial predator native to the island. These moderate sized constrictors can attain weights approaching 5 Kg and lengths from 1.5 to 2.3 m. Sexual dimorphism (difference between males and females) includes females generally being larger in body length and girth, whereas males generally have longer tails (containing the hemipenes) and longer cloacal spurs (vestigal hind legs).The colour varies along the length of the snake. The head and anterior half of the body are yellowish green with irregular black cross bands. Towards the tail the colour becomes progressively darker until almost entirely black at the tail tip. The scales also produce an iridescent sheen when light is shown upon them.
Conservation Status: IUCN

Distribution:
Found only in Jamaica. Only isolated pockets of suitable habitat remain leading to a fragmented distribution on the island.Habitat:
Various undisturbed woodland habitats, including limestone karst forests.Diet:
Prey items for adult Jamaican Boas include native bats and birds as well as introduced rodents such as rats. The young feed on small lizards and frogs until they are large enough to tackle the larger prey items of the adults.Adults employ an ambush strategy to secure prey. Hanging from trees limbs allows them to snatch prey, like bats or birds, from the air when they fly past. The prey is captured in flight and quickly wrapped up in constricting coils to dispatch it before it is swallowed whole.