Epicrates angulifer, commonly known as the Cuban boa is a species of snake that hunts in packs. It is the largest native terrestrial predator in Cuba. It has relatively poor eyesight and depends on its tongue to detect smells. Snakes of this species are carnivorous in which they feed on mammals including rodents. Cuba is home to bat-filled caves, where small groups of boas will regularly hunt for bats as they fly in and out of caves. This species is the first reptile that has been identified practicing coordinated hunting or working as a team to improve its odds of catching prey.
They work in a team by blocking the bats’ paths in and out of caves by hanging upside down from the ceiling and attacking as they fly. They position themselves in the path of passage where other snakes were already present forming a fence across the passage and blocking the prey more effectively. This increases their hunting efficiency. When a boa goes hunting alone, it sometimes fails to catch a bat by itself but is successful when it hunts in a team.
The Cuban Boa is an endangered, island dwelling animal living in tropical dry forest and scrub forest. It can be found in holes and rock piles or even cultivated lands.
