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Information and Maps of the Solomon Islands
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Candoia Paulsoni
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Boas in the genus Candoia are smaller boas with a SVL of 1m or less. They are found on various islands throughout the Pacific and each subspecies has evolved to fit perfectly within a delicate niche in their natural habitat of the Pacific Islands. There is still so much to learn about these fascinating and rarely kept boas. Currently, Candoia are classified or described in one of three ways: 1) Pacific Island Ground Boas, 2) Pacific Island Tree Boas and 3) New Guinea Ground Boas (or Viper Boas).
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The Solomon Islands can be found in the South Pacific Ocean. There are six major islands including Santa Isabel:) and 100's of smaller low-lying atolls. The larger islands consist of beach front, lowlands/foothills and the rest of these islands are covered by thickly forested mountain ranges. The climate of these islands are described as typical tropical weather. Temperatures range from 74 to 87 year around. During the rainy season of November to February, the night time temperatures drop to around the mid sixties. Even during the warmer season the daytime temps rarely rise above the high eighties due to the cooling effect of the winds coming off the pacific Ocean
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Female Solomon Island Ground Boa (Candoia paulsoni) courtesy of Scott Stern
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Solomon Island Ground Boa (Candoia carinata paulsoni) Locations: Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Indonesia Habitat: Low laying brush and scrub Size: Males up to three feet, Females up to five feet Colors: White, gray, yellow, silver, red, brown and tan. Variable others. Pattern: Highly Variable with distinct zigzag pattern. Can also be stripped. Notable Facts: Have ability to change colors due to various factors. Clutches of babies are polymorphic (many colors/patterns).
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Halmahera Ground Boa Courtesy of: Carole Boissonneult of Http://www.animauxexotiques.com
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Halmahera Ground Boa (Candoia ssp) Location: Halmahera Island Habitat: Not well documented. Thought to be same as paulsoni. Size: up to 32/36" for females and 24 to 32" for males Colors: Yellow, black, gold gray and brown Pattern: Highly variable with distinct zigzag. Has slightly different head shape from paulsoni.
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New Guinea Ground Boa (aka Viper Boa)
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New Guinea Ground Boa or Viper Boa (Candoia Aspera) Location: Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea and some Indonesian islands. Habitat: Wet forested areas Size: Average 20 to 28 inches. Larger examples collected and bred. Colors: Black, brown, red, yellow, gold and variable others. Pattern: Highly variable with zigzag. Notable Facts: Viper Boa name derived from researchers thought of them resembling certain venomous snakes found in same habitat.
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Candoia c carinata courtesy of: Mark Lucas of www.markmlucas.com
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Pacific or New Guinea Tree Boa (Candoia carinata carinata) Location: Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands. Habitat: Low bushes, shrubbery and trees. Size: 18 to 24 inches. Colors: Orange, gray, brown, black, red, yellow and various others. Pattern: Solid, stripped, banded and blotched.
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Fiji Island Tree Boa courtesy of Jim Stelpflug of S W Reptiles
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Solomon /Fiji Island Tree Boa (Candoia bibroni australis) Location: Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa Habitat: Terrestrial/forested river banks Size: Males up to three feet, females up to five feet. Colors: Brown, black, gray, orange and others. Pattern: Highly variable Notable fact: Ability to change colors like c. paulsoni
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To the left and below are some maps of the Pacific Islands. These maps will give you a general look at where these Boas originated at and where many populations can still be found. One wonders how many new subspecies or color morphs could be found if the 100's of tiny surrounding Islands could be explored.
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Screen Shot: Project BOB
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