Candoia carinata


Candoia carinata, known commonly as the Pacific ground boa or the Pacific keel-scaled boa, is a species of snake in the family Boidae.

Distribution and habitat

The species C. carinata is found in Indonesia, New Guinea, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

In captivity

Candoia carinata is popular as a pet in Indonesia, where it is known by the common name monopohon.

Subspecies

''Candoia carinata carinata''

While the nominotypical subspecies, C. c. carinata, may be occasionally found in trees, this Papuan snake is most often found terrestrially.

''Candoia carinata paulsoni''

Males of C. c. paulsoni are smaller and lighter than females, and show spurs. Males are long, and in weight. Females are generally in length and weigh. The colour varies from dark brown to auburn, with distinct patterns, though there is also the "paulsoni santa isabella ", which is coloured white.

Etymology

The subspecific name, paulsoni, is in honour of Swedish herpetologist John Paulson.