Boidae
Pacific Boa
HarmlessCandoia carinata
2 photographs of the Pacific Boa. (c) Nicola Crockford, some rights reserved (CC BY).
The Pacific Boa (Candoia carinata) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 10 countries.
- Family
- Boidae
About the Pacific Boa
Candoia carinata, known commonly as the Pacific ground boa, Pacific keel-scaled boa, or Indonesian tree boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae.
Distribution and habitat
C. carinata is found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago.
In captivity
C. carinata is kept as a pet in Indonesia, where it is known by the common name monopohon (pohon means "tree" in the Indonesian language).
Subspecies
Candoia carinata carinata (Schneider, 1801)
While the nominate subspecies, C. c. carinata, may be occasionally found in trees, this Papuan snake is most often found on the ground.
Candoia carinata paulsoni (Stull, 1956)
Males of C. c. paulsoni are smaller and lighter than females, and show spurs. Males are 0.9–1.0 m (35–39 in) long, and 300–400 g (11–14 oz) in weight. Females are generally 1.2–1.4 m (47–55 in) in length and weigh 1.0–1.2 kg (2.2–2.6 lb). The colour varies from dark brown to auburn with distinct patterns, though there is also the color morph "paulsoni santa isabella ", which is white.
The subspecies C. c. paulsoni was elevated to species status as Candoia paulsoni by H.M. Smith, et al. in 2001.
Candoia carinata tepedeleni (H.M. Smith & Chiszar, 2001)
Commonly known as Tepedelen's bevel-nosed boa.
Etymology
The specific name or subspecific name, paulsoni, is in honour of Swedish herpetologist John Paulson.
The subspecific name, tepedeleni, is in honour of herpetologist Kumaran Tepedelen.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Pacific Boa
- Is the Pacific Boa venomous?
- No. The Pacific Boa (Candoia carinata) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Pacific Boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Pacific Boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Pacific Boa dangerous?
- The Pacific Boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Pacific Boa live?
- The Pacific Boa has verified records in 10 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- Why is it called the Pacific Boa?
- The specific name or subspecific name, paulsoni, is in honour of Swedish herpetologist John Paulson. The subspecific name, tepedeleni, is in honour of herpetologist Kumaran Tepedelen.
Where it is found
More Boidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.