Viper boa (Candoia carinata)

Short answers

Viper boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Pacific boas). Horizontal, ~80–110 l.

Viper boa: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 23–25 °C.

Viper boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal/crepuscular).

Viper boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 15–20 years.

Viper boa: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

23–25 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C

Humidity

70–90 % (high)

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal/crepuscular)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Pacific boas). Horizontal, ~80–110 l

Substrate

Coco soil or sphagnum, moisture-retaining; a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice), small lizards or frogs

Feeding interval

adults every 2 weeks, neonates and subadults weekly

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 60–100 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 15–20 years

Origin

Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, the Pacific islands

Protection status

Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale. Often wild-caught - check proof of origin.

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary and territorial; put them together only briefly for supervised breeding, and never keep males together

Notes

The Pacific / banded boa; the trade name "viper boa" overlaps with Candoia aspera – watch for correct identification. Revised taxonomically several times (its separation from C. paulsoni). A slow metabolism, and longer breaks from feeding are normal. Some figures are guide values (uncertain trade sources).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bibron's bevel-nosed boa (Candoia bibroni) – Intermediate
• New Guinea ground boa (Candoia aspera) – Intermediate
• Solomon Islands ground boa (Candoia paulsoni) – Intermediate
• Amazon tree boa (Corallus batesii) – Expert
• Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) – Intermediate
• True red-tailed boa – Guyana (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
• True red-tailed boa – Peru (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate
• True red-tailed boa – Suriname (Boa constrictor constrictor) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Viper boa (Candoia carinata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×50×75 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Pacific boas). Horizontal, ~80–110 l), substrate (Coco soil or sphagnum, moisture-retaining; a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.