Which Caribbean Islands Have Snakes? Island-by-Island Guide

Snake distribution in the Caribbean is highly uneven due to isolation, mongoose introductions, and habitat. Here's the breakdown by island group:

Greater Antilles

• Cuba: High diversity. Cuban Boa (Chilabothrus angulifer), Cuban Racer, Tropidophis dwarfs. No venomous.
• Hispaniola (Haiti/Dom. Rep.): Hispaniolan Boa, Racer, Venomous: Hispaniolan Racer (Alsophis) – mild rear-fanged.
• Jamaica: Jamaican Boa (Chilabothrus subflavus), Yellow Snake, Racer. No venomous.
• Puerto Rico: Puerto Rican Boa, Racer, Blind Snake. No venomous.

Lesser Antilles (Leeward)

• Antigua: Antiguan Racer (critically endangered, reintroduced), Venomous: None native (Redonda Racer on Redonda).
• St. Kitts: Boa, St. Kitts Racer. Nevis: Snake-free (mongoose).
• Montserrat: Snake-free (volcano + mongoose).
• Guadeloupe: Boa, Venomous: Fer-de-lance (Bothrops lanceolatus) – DANGEROUS. Guadeloupe Racer.
• Dominica: Boa, Fer-de-lance (B. caribbaeus) – DANGEROUS. Dominican Racer.
• Martinique: Boa, Fer-de-lance (B. lanceolatus) – DANGEROUS. Martinique Racer.
• St. Lucia: Boa, Fer-de-lance (B. caribbaeus) – DANGEROUS. St. Lucia Racer (world's rarest).
• St. Vincent: Boa, Fer-de-lance. Grenadines: Snake-free.
• Grenada: Boa, Fer-de-lance. Grenada Racer.
• Barbados: Snake-free (mongoose, habitat loss).

Windward / Southern Caribbean

• Trinidad: High diversity (40+ spp). Boa, Fer-de-lance (Mapepire Balsain), Coral Snakes, Bushmaster – VENOMOUS.
• Tobago: Snake-free (no native land snakes).
• Aruba / Curaçao / Bonaire (ABC Islands): Aruba Rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor – venomous, endemic), Santanero, Boa (introduced).

Bahamas & Turks & Caicos

• Bahamas: Bahamian Boa, Bahamian Racer. No venomous.
• Turks & Caicos: Snake-free (Caicos Dwarf Boa on some cays only).

US Virgin Islands

• Puerto Rican Boa, Racer, Blind Snake. No venomous.

Key Takeaway: The Fer-de-lance (Bothrops) is the only medically significant venomous snake in the Lesser Antilles (Guadeloupe to St. Vincent) and Trinidad. Most islands have only harmless boas and racers. Mongoose introduction eradicated snakes on many islands.