Boas sold as Papuan Ground Boas are often Viper boas. I am sure that's what you have, based on your description of it being nippy.

Jerry Conway has the bible of Candoia with everything you need to know here:

http://www.kingsnake.com/candoia/

As for the white film and soaking, can you describe the "film" in more detail? It could be a mite problem, Candoia love to soak when they have mites...
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John R. Stebbins
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1.1 Candoia bibroni australis
0.2 Candoia carinata carinata
1.0 Candoia paulsoni
2.0 elaphe guttata guttata