First Documented Predation Event on White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus, by the Puerto Rican Boa, Chilabothrus inornatus, in Puerto Rico

Alcides L. Morales-Pérez

First Documented Predation Event on White-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus, by the Puerto Rican Boa, Chilabothrus inornatus, in Puerto Rico

Alcides L. Morales-Pérez*

*Fideicomiso de Conservación de Puerto Rico, Para La Naturaleza, PO Box 9023554 San Juan, PR 00902-3554, USA.

Caribbean Naturalist, No. 94 (2023)

Abstract
Chilabothrus inornatus (Puerto Rican Boa) was observed and photographed constricting and later consuming an adult Phaeton lepturus (White-tailed Tropicbird) at Puerto Hermina, Quebradillas in Puerto Rico (18º29'00.60"N, 66°54'06.60"W) on 21 February 2022. This observation represents the first predation event of its kind where a native snake predates a seabird in the Caribbean. I encourage further research to help elucidate the regularity of this behaviors.

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