Candoia
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 Solomon Island ground boa, Candoia carinata paulsoni
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Candoia is a genus of small boas native to the south pacific islands, including New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Indonesia. Species in this genus typically have a rounded and heavy body, with a flattened triangular shaped head, and an upturned nose. Colors and patterns vary greatly, but most are various shades of brown to black. They can vary in adult size from 60 cm to 1.8 m.
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[edit] Taxonomy
There are currently three recognized species of Candoia, with six subspecies. In general, the genus is not well researched and taxonomic reclassification is ongoing. There are likely many species of Candoia yet to be discovered, as many of the islands the genus is known to exist on are uninhabited by humans and have not been thoroughly explored. A species being referred to as the Halmahera ground boa, which is believed to be a subspecies of Candoia carinata was recently discovered, in 1996, and has yet to be formally classified even though it has been available in the exotic pet trade since then.
[edit] Species
- Viper boa, Candoia aspera aspera (Günther, 1877)
- New Guinea ground boa, Candoia aspera schmidti (Stull, 1932)
- Fiji boa, Candoia bibroni bibroni (Dumeril & Bibron, 1844)
- Solomon Island tree boa, Candoia bibroni australis (Montrouzier, 1860)
- New Guinea bevelnosed boa, Candoia carinata (Schneider, 1801)
- Paulson's bevelnosed boa, Candoia paulsoni (Stull, 1956)
- Solomon Island ground boa, Candoia paulsoni paulsoni (Stull, 1956)
- McDowell's bevelnosed boa, Candoia paulsoni mcdowelli
- Rosado's bevelnosed boa, Candoia paulsoni rosadoi
- Sadlier's bevelnosed boa, Candoia paulsoni sadlieri
- Halmahera ground boa, Candoia paulsoni tasmai
- Vindum's bevelnosed boa, Candoia paulsoni vindumi
- Palau bevelnosed boa, Candoia superciliosa (Gunther, 1863)
[edit] Behavior & Reproduction
Candoia are primarily nocturnal, and like all snakes are carnivorous. Males are typically smaller than females and can be distinguished by their prominent cloacal spurs. Breeding occurs early in the year, typically after rains. Several males will approach and pursue a single female, though, there is no combat between the males. Females seem to only ovulate once every two or three years and give birth to litters averaging 10 or so neonates. The Solomon Island ground boa, Candoia carinata paulsoni is an exception and is known to have particularly large litters. Sometimes upwards 30 or 40 small neonates.
[edit] Conservation status
While individual countries may have certain regulations for collecting and exporting, Candoia species hold no specific threatened or endangered status.
[edit] In captivity
Candoia species are frequently imported for the exotic pet trade. Their small size and ease of care make them interesting captives, but wild caught specimens are known to not acclimate to captivity well. The stress of captivity manifests itself in the form of lack of interest in food. In the wild their primary diet consists of frogs and lizards, and this often presents a problem for the herpetological hobbiest who is only familiar with rodent eating snakes.
