SVG Today reports that rumors saying that a huge boa constrictor was found in a forested area, next to the recently opened resort (Buccama Bay) in Buccament, St. Vincent, has brought attention to the island’s rapidly declining snake population. The rumors suggest that the gigantic snake may have made its way to these St. Vincent in the white sand that was imported by the resort for use on the private beach. People in the area are in a state of panic but no evidence has been presented.

So far, the Forestry Division is unaware of the presence of a boa constrictor in the area but will investigate. Buccama Bay Resort General Manager Mark Sorkin said that he had not seen the snake but would investigate whether or not the rumors were true. He also inquired about the types of snakes that live in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all snake species are in danger of extinction. SVG explains that this is blamed on the fact that people think that all snakes are poisonous and, as a result, the three species of snakes said to live there have almost been eliminated. These endangered species are the St. Vincent blacksnake (Chironius vincenti), Barbour’s tropical racer (Mastigodryas bruesi), and Cook’s tree boa (Corallus cookii).

In fact, the only Caribbean islands with venomous snakes are Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, and Trinidad. Local experts say that snakes native to the area are not deadly. Over the years, they have tried to convince people not to kill them because they help keep a balance, for example, by keeping down the rat population. The presence of the mongoose and other introduced predators such as cats are factors that also impinge on the species survival.

For full article, see http://www.svgtoday.com/?p=4531

Photo of the Corallus cookii from http://www.lafermedesreptiles.fr/html/espece/corallus.htm