Fundación Biodiversidad – Argentina is the executive of�ice of the BPSG and provides the necessary operational and legal framework to the Boa & Python SG.

About the Species Survival Commission (SSC)The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of IUCN’s six volunteer commissions with a global membership of around 7,500 experts. SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scienti�ic aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a future for biodiversity. SSC has signi�icant input into the international agreements dealing with biodiversity conservation.

The Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) is a global network of volunteer experts, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).

About IUCNIUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world �ind pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scienti�ic research, manages �ield projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 of�ices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

IUCN World Headquarters:Rue Maveurney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerlandwww.iucn.org

BPSG Executive Of�ice address:Fundación Biodiversidad – ArgentinaSuipacha 1311 – 3rd Floor (C1011AAC) • Buenos Aires • ArgentinaTel/Fax: +54 (11) 4515 0152 / bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar

This Brochure was printed in FSC Certi�ied Paper

THE IUCN SSC BOA & PYTHON SPECIALIST GROUP

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINION AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO IUCN AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ON THE CONSERVATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS

The BPSG, leading authority on boas and pythons, hopes to act as a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of these species worldwide.

Research and assessments Solutions to identi�ied

problems

Trade sustainability and transparency

Support to local livelihoodsExpert opinion and

scienti�ic advice

OBJECTIVES

Bringing together scientists and experts from around the world to foster conservation of boas and pythons

For more information contact us: bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Follow us in

Fundación Biodiversidad – Argentina is the executive of�ice of the BPSG and provides the necessary operational and legal framework to the Boa & Python SG.

About the Species Survival Commission (SSC)The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of IUCN’s six volunteer commissions with a global membership of around 7,500 experts. SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scienti�ic aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a future for biodiversity. SSC has signi�icant input into the international agreements dealing with biodiversity conservation.

The Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) is a global network of volunteer experts, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).

About IUCNIUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world �ind pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scienti�ic research, manages �ield projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 of�ices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

IUCN World Headquarters:Rue Maveurney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerlandwww.iucn.org

BPSG Executive Of�ice address:Fundación Biodiversidad – ArgentinaSuipacha 1311 – 3rd Floor (C1011AAC) • Buenos Aires • ArgentinaTel/Fax: +54 (11) 4515 0152 / bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar

This Brochure was printed in FSC Certi�ied Paper

THE IUCN SSC BOA & PYTHON SPECIALIST GROUP

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINION AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO IUCN AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ON THE CONSERVATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS

The BPSG, leading authority on boas and pythons, hopes to act as a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of these species worldwide.

Research and assessments Solutions to identi�ied

problems

Trade sustainability and transparency

Support to local livelihoodsExpert opinion and

scienti�ic advice

OBJECTIVES

Bringing together scientists and experts from around the world to foster conservation of boas and pythons

For more information contact us: bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Follow us in

Up to 2013 about half of the species of boas and pythons have been assessed by IUCN for the

Red List: one species, Bolyeria multocarinata, from Mauritius, is considered Extinct and one from the coast of Cuba, Tropidophis hendersoni, as Critically Endangered, while 12 additional species are considered either Endangered (6) or Vulnerable (6).

The families Boidae, Bolyeriidae, Loxocemidae, Pythonidae and

Tropidophiidae are all listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Some 10 species considered threatened by CITES are listed in Appendix I and trade is banned.

Boas and pythons are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, clearcutting of forests, substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure, introduced predators and competitors, international trade, and climate change, threaten their survival globally.

• Clear cutting of forests • Substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure • Increasing human populations • Introduced

predators and competitors • International trade • Climate change

MAIN THREATS

CONSERVATION STATUS

SpeciesDistribution

BPSG REMITThe BPSG remit includes about 186 species of primitive snakes distributed in 12 families.

True boas and pythons, families Boidae and Pythonidae, represent about half of the overall remit of the group.

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Calabariidae Cylindrophiidae

Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Xenophiidae

AniliidaeAnomochilidaeBoidaeBolyeriidaeCalabariidaeCylindrophiidae

N & S AmericaSE AsiaAmericas/Africa/Europe/AsiaMauritius / Indian OceanAfricaCentral & SE Asia

11

14211

23

5221

10

Loxocemidae PythonidaeTropidophiidaeUropeltidaeXenopeltidaeXenophiidae

N America (Mexico)Africa/Asia/OceaniaAmericaCentral AsiaAsiaSE Asia

192611

140234922

CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR BOAS AND PYTHONS HAVE BEEN SCARCE AND SCATTERED FOR A LONG TIME

THE TRADE IN PYTHONS HOLDS OUR ATTENTION AND MUCH OF OUR TIMEA number of charismatic boa and python species are in high demand as pets or for their skins for the fashion industry. For many of these species, institutions have to cope with the attention of public opinion and are challenged with the elusive issue of trade sustainability and transparency. The BPSG is actively contributing to address these concerns, particularly with regard to the trade in South East Asian pythons. We are working on several projects related to wild harvest, captive breeding, animal health and welfare, and the impact of this trade on livelihoods, in cooperation with source countries, international organizations and industry. These projects will provide the data and recommendations for international organizations like CITES, government authorities and the private sector to begin creating systems for improved monitoring of the trade in terms of sustainability, transparency and animal welfare. Sustainability,

Transparency and Livelihoods

A GAP TO FILLBoas, pythons and their allies are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world representing a small percentage of the ca. 3,000 living snake species.

Boas and pythons may represent a threat to other wildlife species when released into the wild occasionally becoming invasive alien species.

5 2

15

82North

America

Central America and the Caribbean

South America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Oceania

35

2634

Up to 2013 about half of the species of boas and pythons have been assessed by IUCN for the

Red List: one species, Bolyeria multocarinata, from Mauritius, is considered Extinct and one from Coastal Brazil, Corallus cropanii, as Critically Endangered, while 12 additional species are considered either Endangered (6) or Vulnerable (6).

The families Boidae, Bolyeriidae, Loxocemidae, Pythonidae and

Tropidophiidae are all listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Some 10 species considered threatened by CITES are listed in Appendix I and trade is banned.

Boas and pythons are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, clearcutting of forests, substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure, introduced predators and competitors, international trade, and climate change, threaten their survival globally.

• Clear cutting of forests • Substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure • Increasing human populations • Introduced

predators and competitors • International trade • Climate change

MAIN THREATS

CONSERVATION STATUS

SpeciesDistribution

BPSG REMITThe BPSG remit includes about 186 species of primitive snakes distributed in 12 families.

True boas and pythons, families Boidae and Pythonidae, represent about half of the overall remit of the group.

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Calabariidae Cylindrophiidae

Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Xenophiidae

AniliidaeAnomochilidaeBoidaeBolyeriidaeCalabariidaeCylindrophiidae

N & S AmericaSE AsiaAmericas/Africa/Europe/AsiaMauritius / Indian OceanAfricaCentral & SE Asia

11

14211

23

5221

10

Loxocemidae PythonidaeTropidophiidaeUropeltidaeXenopeltidaeXenophiidae

N America (Mexico)Africa/Asia/OceaniaAmericaCentral AsiaAsiaSE Asia

192611

140234922

CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR BOAS AND PYTHONS HAVE BEEN SCARCE AND SCATTERED FOR A LONG TIME

THE TRADE IN PYTHONS HOLDS OUR ATTENTION AND MUCH OF OUR TIMEA number of charismatic boa and python species are in high demand as pets or for their skins for the fashion industry. For many of these species, institutions have to cope with the attention of public opinion and are challenged with the elusive issue of trade sustainability and transparency. The BPSG is actively contributing to address these concerns, particularly with regard to the trade in South East Asian pythons. We are working on several projects related to wild harvest, captive breeding, animal health and welfare, and the impact of this trade on livelihoods, in cooperation with source countries, international organizations and industry. These projects will provide the data and recommendations for international organizations like CITES, government authorities and the private sector to begin creating systems for improved monitoring of the trade in terms of sustainability, transparency and animal welfare. Sustainability,

Transparency and Livelihoods

A GAP TO FILLBoas, pythons and their allies are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world representing a small percentage of the ca. 3,000 living snake species.

Boas and pythons may represent a threat to other wildlife species when released into the wild occasionally becoming invasive alien species.

5 2

15

82North

America

Central America and the Caribbean

South America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Oceania

35

2634

Up to 2013 about half of the species of boas and pythons have been assessed by IUCN for the

Red List: one species, Bolyeria multocarinata, from Mauritius, is considered Extinct and one from Coastal Brazil, Corallus cropanii, as Critically Endangered, while 12 additional species are considered either Endangered (6) or Vulnerable (6).

The families Boidae, Bolyeriidae, Loxocemidae, Pythonidae and

Tropidophiidae are all listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Some 10 species considered threatened by CITES are listed in Appendix I and trade is banned.

Boas and pythons are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, clearcutting of forests, substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure, introduced predators and competitors, international trade, and climate change, threaten their survival globally.

• Clear cutting of forests • Substitution of natural habitats by crops and infrastructure • Increasing human populations • Introduced

predators and competitors • International trade • Climate change

MAIN THREATS

CONSERVATION STATUS

SpeciesDistribution

BPSG REMITThe BPSG remit includes about 186 species of primitive snakes distributed in 12 families.

True boas and pythons, families Boidae and Pythonidae, represent about half of the overall remit of the group.

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

FAMILY No. No. GEOGRAPHIC REALM GENUS SPECIES

Aniliidae Anomochilidae Boidae Bolyeriidae Calabariidae Cylindrophiidae

Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Uropeltidae Xenopeltidae Xenophiidae

AniliidaeAnomochilidaeBoidaeBolyeriidaeCalabariidaeCylindrophiidae

N & S AmericaSE AsiaAmericas/Africa/Europe/AsiaMauritius / Indian OceanAfricaCentral & SE Asia

11

14211

23

5221

10

Loxocemidae PythonidaeTropidophiidaeUropeltidaeXenopeltidaeXenophiidae

N America (Mexico)Africa/Asia/OceaniaAmericaCentral AsiaAsiaSE Asia

192611

140234922

CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR BOAS AND PYTHONS HAVE BEEN SCARCE AND SCATTERED FOR A LONG TIME

THE TRADE IN PYTHONS HOLDS OUR ATTENTION AND MUCH OF OUR TIMEA number of charismatic boa and python species are in high demand as pets or for their skins for the fashion industry. For many of these species, institutions have to cope with the attention of public opinion and are challenged with the elusive issue of trade sustainability and transparency. The BPSG is actively contributing to address these concerns, particularly with regard to the trade in South East Asian pythons. We are working on several projects related to wild harvest, captive breeding, animal health and welfare, and the impact of this trade on livelihoods, in cooperation with source countries, international organizations and industry. These projects will provide the data and recommendations for international organizations like CITES, government authorities and the private sector to begin creating systems for improved monitoring of the trade in terms of sustainability, transparency and animal welfare. Sustainability,

Transparency and Livelihoods

A GAP TO FILLBoas, pythons and their allies are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world representing a small percentage of the ca. 3,000 living snake species.

Boas and pythons may represent a threat to other wildlife species when released into the wild occasionally becoming invasive alien species.

5 2

15

82North

America

Central America and the Caribbean

South America

Europe

Africa

Asia

Oceania

35

2634

Fundación Biodiversidad – Argentina is the executive of�ice of the BPSG and provides the necessary operational and legal framework to the Boa & Python SG.

About the Species Survival Commission (SSC)The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest of IUCN’s six volunteer commissions with a global membership of around 7,500 experts. SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scienti�ic aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a future for biodiversity. SSC has signi�icant input into the international agreements dealing with biodiversity conservation.

The Boa & Python Specialist Group (BPSG) is a global network of volunteer experts, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC).

About IUCNIUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world �ind pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scienti�ic research, manages �ield projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,200 government and NGO Members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 45 of�ices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world.

IUCN World Headquarters:Rue Maveurney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerlandwww.iucn.org

BPSG Executive Of�ice address:Fundación Biodiversidad – ArgentinaSuipacha 1311 – 3rd Floor (C1011AAC) • Buenos Aires • ArgentinaTel/Fax: +54 (11) 4515 0152 / bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar

This Brochure was printed in FSC Certi�ied Paper

THE IUCN SSC BOA & PYTHON SPECIALIST GROUP

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINION AND SCIENTIFIC ADVICE TO IUCN AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, ON THE CONSERVATION OF BOAS AND PYTHONS

The BPSG, leading authority on boas and pythons, hopes to act as a focal point for all researchers working on the natural history and conservation of these species worldwide.

Research and assessments Solutions to identi�ied

problems

Trade sustainability and transparency

Support to local livelihoodsExpert opinion and

scienti�ic advice

OBJECTIVES

Bringing together scientists and experts from around the world to foster conservation of boas and pythons

For more information contact us: bpsg@�ibertel.com.ar Follow us in