Notes on an Unexpected Decline of a Population of Corallus grenadensis (Squamata: Boidae) in Grenada, West Indies

ABSTRACT. A population of the treeboa Corallus grenadensis was studied (PIT-tagged) at Pearls, Grenada for two years (February 2002–February 2004). The site was one of mixed orchard and native trees, cultivated fields, one rustic house, and a well maintained trail. It became apparent that the population was in sharp decline in June 2004, and Hurricane Ivan drastically altered the site shortly thereafter (September, 2004). Subsequent searches over the next five years yielded no adult boas, and only a small number of young-of-the-year or yearling boas. As Hurricane Ivan hit after the decline, it cannot be identified as the proximate cause. Rather, as C. grenadensis is an edge species, we suggest that a decline in human activity (overgrown trail thereby reducing edge habitat) at the study site may have been the major contributor to the decline. Although treeboas, in general, may not be as common on Grenada as they were 100–150 years ago (or 5–20 years ago), it is still possible to encounter them on virtually...