Pacific boa
| Pacific boa | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pacific boa (Candoia carinata paulsoni) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Candoia carinata | ||||||||||||
| ( Schneider , 1801) |
The Pacific boa ( Candoia carinata ) is a species of the boas family that occurs in two subspecies on a number of Pacific islands. The specific epithet carinata ( lat. "Keeled") refers to the clearly keeled trunk scales .
features
Pacific boas are relatively small giant snakes that reach a body length of 60 to 75 cm and only in exceptional cases more than one meter. The nominate subspecies C. carinata carinata has an elongated head, clearly separated from the neck, and a slender body with a well-developed prehensile tail. C. carinata paulsoni has a stockier build with a short, massive head and short tail. The basic color is very variable and ranges from different gray and brown tones to reddish and orange colors to porcelain colors. Darker, irregular patches create a complete or incomplete zigzag pattern on the back side. The ventral side is yellowish with darker spots.
The males have elongated anal spurs that may be completely absent in the females.
Occurrence and habitat
C. carinata carinata occurs on Palau , the Riau Islands , Sulawesi , the Moluccas , New Guinea and the surrounding islands, the Bismarck Archipelago and Tokelau . C. carinata paulsoni is found on some islands in Indonesia , the Solomon Islands , the Santa Cruz Islands , Sulawesi, Halmahera, and southeast Papua New Guinea .
The species colonizes different habitats, from rainforests to caves and cultivated land at altitudes of up to about 1,500 meters and occurs in part as a cultural successor in human settlements.
Way of life
Pacific boas are largely nocturnal. C. carinata carinata is predominantly tree-dwelling, while C. carinata paulsoni is adapted to a terrestrial way of life. Lizards and frogs are preferred as prey, and more rarely small mammals.
The males engage in comment fights during mating . The litter size of C. carinata carinata is usually six or fewer pups , while C. carinata paulsoni produces litters of 40 to 60 or more pups.
swell
- Ludwig Trutnau : Non-poisonous snakes, part 1 . 4th edition. Eugen Ulmer GmbH & Co., Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-8001-3223-0 .
