Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm mainly an Aussie python guy, but have recently become interested in the Bibron's Bevel-nosed boa, referred to in O'Shea's book as simply Candoia bibroni. While looking for further info on the species, however, I'm only mainly finding info on Candoia bibroni australis.

Can anyone tell me if these 2 species are one in the same due to reclassification, etc.? Or is there actually a species and sub-species? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin

C.b. australis is a subspecies. You won't find any bibroni around ever and you would be extremely lucky to find any australis.

bibroni has a slightly different morphology than australis, though they are very closely related (if not actually the same species from different locales).

For more info, check Conway's Candoia Bible on this site.
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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

Thanks. Any idea if there are anyone working with australis? Also, when you say Conway's Bible, is that a feature on this site, or a book available for sale? Thanks.
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin

working with? eh
keeping? yes
I have a lone male, john has two, and I believe SRX has a trio(?)
Could be wrong, I'm not sure.
Speaking of that, how are you guys doing with yours?

qiksilver5,

i laughed at your synopsis of the state of australis! So true!!

Mine are doing well...I am hopeful that I can find others at some point. I see all kinds of carinata around, just can't find australis...

I will have some pics to post soon!

-j
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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

Now I'm really interested...I've been checking out the australis some more and I think I need to put them on my "to have" list.

As far as bibroni, if not in any private collections, does anyone know of any zoos that may have 'em? I know there have been a couple guys who have tracked down a few of the rarer Morelia at a zoo here or there, if for nothing more than to see one in person.

These are one of the snakes that I quite literally can't stop thinking about....yeah, I know...it's a problem!

Thanks for your help
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"He who would stifle debate rather than engage in it, does so at the expense of his integrity and credibility"

Mike Curtin

Fiji Boas Candoia bibroni bibroni look just like Solomon Island Tree Boas C.b.australis, except they get much larger; both in length and girth. Think of an Irian Jaya Carpet Python "sized" SITB ! The only ones I ever heard of were for sale some time ago. Jerry Conway had 2 male C.b.bibroni and was selling them basically due to lack of females. When I inquired at the time, he said that there were some in Europe but no others in the States. The 2 males both looked like my australis; orange/red types.

Agreeing with SRX, only bibroni I have ever seen (photos) were in Europe and a couple in Fiji.

As for australis, there simply are not many (I mean seriously not many) around.
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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

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but just in case...

I am in Fiji, keeping Candoia bibroni bibroni. There's a few of us here and we are contemplating starting captive breeding.

We do NOT export, so there's no point asking us for snakes, but I'm happy to answer questions and to post photos.

See www.pacificboasnakes.blogspot.com

Cheers,
Helen

Actually, I only have the 1.1 pair of red SITBs. As far as how they are doing, I have witnessed copulation attempts by the male this season and he has marked/smeared all over the females cage. She ovulated last year, but I didn't have a male then (go figure). I haven't witnessed her swelling anything close to what she did last season, so I am not getting my hopes up. I think I still know where another black male SITB is and am planning on picking him up when the weather gets warmer. I have 2 other locations in the States that I am going to poke around and see if there are any still lingering there.
Good luck to each of you.
Scott

Here are 2 quick pics from today.

Male

Female

Hey Scott,

Can you describe in any more detail what characteristics your female exhibits when she is ovulating?

Thank you!

j
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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

Some good news, but first...

Hopefully this translates. In the past, her feeding schedule was one large, P/K mouse a week. Her temps were different then; moved from a plywood cage/light bulb heat to an PVCX cage with belly heat. I am not sure if this made any difference, but I will be testing it next season. He feeding schedule this year was one large, F/T mouse every two weeks. She is not as "robust" as last year. Even with the heavier feeding schedule then, you could tell that she had ovulated. She went from healthy-firm to "plump" in her lower mid section and slightly decreasing towards the tail. This year she has maintained the same girth and there have been no obvious signs(although I could have missed it). As I said before, the male has shown alot of interest in her, but I never saw her swell up like she did last season. I truly believe that reptiles are as easy as Frank Retes states...heat'um and feed'um...they will do the rest.

Now for the good(cross fingers) news...

Not to jinx anything, but I just palpated the female as I was cleaning cages and she is either gravid or full of slugs. Hopefully the first, but either way, I am one step closer than where I was last year. If anything comes of it, I will be posting an update here.

Scott

Hey Scott,

Thanks for that info. I am curious, did you see any actual copulation?

I have been hesitant to say, but my female appears to be in the same condition as yours. I did not witness copulation, but I did walk in on the male right by her with his spurs very extended. It gave me hope.

The female went off-feed in October and it was the first time in 8 years she has gone off feed. After multiple attempts to feed her again, she just checked out the F/T mouse and then turned away. There is noticeable swelling in her posterior 1/3, and I can see that it is lumpy in that area.

I am hopeful, but not entirely sure if things are going to work out for babies, but I sure am hoping!

-John
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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

John,
I have yet to see any "connection" between them, but the male did wrap her and chase her around at the initial intro. They are always found in the same spot, night or day, until this past week. She has been spending more and more time in the branches closer to the lights...hmmm??? Only time will tell if I just want to see something that isn't really there(gravid or not). I do wish I had access to an ultrasound. I might have to poke around the ball python guys and see if any of them have one for use.

Great news about your female; I really hope it takes for you. If this ever pans out, we should definitely swap some neos to diversify things a bit.
Best of luck with her!
Scott

Interesting that my male and female showed the exact same behavior - always hanging out then all of a sudden not. My female has been camped by the warmest spot on the cage and is most definitely seen with the swollen side closest to the heater. Laser temp gun shows she keeps that part of her body right about 80-84 degrees.

Swapping neos would be a great idea! Let's hope all this works out!

j
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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