Juvenile specimen, Lihir Island, PNG.
Close-up showing typical head shape and
diamond / zig-zag dorsal patterning.
Family : BOIDAE
Species : Candoia carinata paulsoni
Maximum Size : 1.0 metres
References : H6
Photos thanks to Jan & Roy Johnstone |
The Pacific Ground Boa
Candoia carinata paulsoni is the thicker-bodied cousin of the more
slender Pacific Tree Boa C. c. carinata. It occurs in a range of
habitats including forests and disturbed agricultural areas including
plantations.
The background colour can be a variety of browns or creams, and the dorsal
patterning typically comprises diamond patterns along the dorsal line, which
may be connected to form a reticulated zig-zag pattern. The diamond patterns
help to distinguish this snake from the similar
New Guinea Ground Boa Candoia
aspera.
The body is stout, the tail short and the head of 'typical' boa or python
shape. The eyes are small, and the head scales granular.
The Pacific Ground Boa typically feeds on frogs, small mammals such as rats,
and various lizards.
This subspecies is widespread throughout Papua New Guinea, including its
offshore islands (the photos shown here were taken on Lihir Island), and in
the Solomon Islands to the east. It is also reported to occur in the
Indonesian province of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), as well as the islands
of Sulawesi and Halmahera to the west.
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