The Extinct Round Island Burrowing Boa
A Vanished Species from Mauritius
Bolyeria multocarinata, the Round Island burrowing boa, is an extinct species of snake that once inhabited the small island of Round Island, north of Mauritius. It was the only species in the genus Bolyeria and the family Bolyeriidae.
The Round Island burrowing boa was a medium-sized snake, reaching a maximum length of about 1 meter (3.3 feet). It had a slender body with a pointed head and small eyes. The snake's dorsal scales were smooth and shiny, and its ventral scales were keeled. The Round Island burrowing boa was brown or olive in color, with a series of dark brown or black blotches along its back. The snake's belly was white or cream-colored.
The Round Island burrowing boa was a terrestrial snake that lived in burrows in the ground. It was nocturnal and fed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. The snake was ovoviviparous, meaning that it gave birth to live young. The Round Island burrowing boa was endemic to Round Island, and it was never found on any other island or mainland. The snake's habitat was destroyed by introduced rats and cats, and it was last seen in the early 1900s.
The Round Island burrowing boa is now extinct, and it is one of the many species that have been lost due to human activity. The snake's extinction is a reminder of the importance of conservation and the need to protect our natural heritage.
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