Solomon+Island+Tree+Boa

toc //Candoia bibroni // Order: Squamata

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Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, Solomon Island tree boas eat large lizards, rats, birds, and insects. Juveniles will also feed upon small lizards and frogs.
 * In captivity, they are fed mice.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


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Range and Habitat
This species is found throughout the Solomon Islands. It lives in a variety of habitats, from forests to cultivated areas and human habitations.

Physical Description
Solomon Island tree boas can be light cream, brown, gray, brick-red, dark-brown above with a darker zigzag patterning along the vertebral line. There are patches with irregular red and white along the ventral area. The head is covered with small keeled or partially keeled scaled. The head is large and distinct from the neck. This species does exhibit sexual dimorphism: males can reach 3 to 4 feet in length, while females can reach nearly 7 feet. The males also have more prominent cloacal spurs.

Life Cycle
Breeding occurs early in the year, typically after the rains. Several males will approach and pursue a single female. Female seem to ovulate once every two or three years, and give birth to litters averaging 10 or so neonates. Individuals can live 15 to 20 years.

Behavior
Solomon Island tree boas are nocturnal. They use rectilinear motion to climb trees, and drape themselves along branches.

Threats and Conservation Status
As with almost all other Boidae species, they are listed under CITES Appendix II.

=__Did you know…__=
 * Solomon Island tree boas have good binocular vision.

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo