Indonesian tree boa

Has anyone kept or heard of these? There's a beautiful baby at the local reptile store that's just BEGGING me to buy him, but I want to do some research before I jump into anything. I was told they only get to be about 2-3 feet long and require basically the same care as a cornsnake does, but I'm not really sure if the store employee I talked to is reliable. Any input is welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

Indonesian Tree Boa = Candoia carinata carinata = Pacific Tree Boa = New Guinea Tree boa.

Here's a care sheet:
http://www.kingsnake.com/candoia/gem.html

Wow! That's a lot of names for one kind of snake! No wonder I didn't find it. Thanks for the link. I'm going to check it out now.

Originally Posted by Donnie Smith

Indonesian Tree Boa = Candoia carinata carinata = Pacific Tree Boa = New Guinea Tree boa.

Here's a care sheet:
http://www.kingsnake.com/candoia/gem.html

Although absolutely correct, sometimes C b. australis is also referred to as an Indonesian tree boa incorrectly. Either way the only difference between the two care-wise that you would need to worry about is their size.

C. c. carinata full grown female about 18 inches


C. b. australis full grown large for a male at about 5 feet

The one I'm looking into getting is still a little baby. He's only(I think they said) about 3 months old. Is there a way to tell the difference between them? I was told this little guy would be fine in a 10 gal tank turned on its side. That's the size tank I'll have available for him, but if he's C. b. australis, he'd be WAY to big for that little tank. He's really dark grayish brown...almost black with a few(hardly noticeable because the snake's so dark) markings.

The younger snakes are darker with a less pronounced pattern. As they grow, they generally get lighter with each shed and the pattern becomes more pronounced. This is also true with the colors. The colors become brighter as the snakes mature. Also.... These snakes only shed 2 or 3 times a year.

I forgot to make it clear. These Boas are not a beginner snake. They are, at least, intermediate and can be extremely difficult to feed since they feed on lizards and frogs in the wild. If you buy the ones at the pet store, first be certain that they are eating mice.

Damn, just noticed original post was 2007.... never mind...


I keep Candoia bibroni bibroni (Fiji boa) - more similar to C australis than to C. carinata, but I agree they would not make an ideal snake for the less experienced keeper - they can be hard to feed. My adults will now eat almost anything but still much prefer geckos and chicks to anything else.

Coincidentally a member has just posted some Candoia carinata carinata for sale because they are not really a "beginner" snake - you might be interested in seeing his comments:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=503589

By the way, a 3 month old Candoia bibroni bibroni (and I presume an australis) would be about 30 cm (a foot) long, about as thick as a pencil, and weigh maybe 20 - 30 gms. I presume a C carinata would be significantly smaller.

Can you get a picture of the baby you are considering and post it?