Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my first post here, so basically introducing myself and my Fiji boas.

I live in Fiji and have three one-year-old Candoia bibroni bibroni captive born to wild parents. They're about 60cm (2 feet) long now.

I've got questions about how old they have to be before I can accurately determine sex (without probing), and about colour changes, (all my three can be brown with a pinkish belly, but all can change colour, and one prefers to be pale pink, one is usually almost silver and grey and the other normally remains brown..... Does anyone know whether they will continue to do this or whether they will settle into permanent colour patterns as they get older?

I also have photo of some of the colour variations we see in wild adults if anyone's interested.

Also very happy to answer questions if anyone wants to know about how these guys are in the wild.

Thanks,
Helen

ok. they can be sexed now. check for spurs at the base of the tail, if theyre absent theyre female, there, male. they always change color, depending on a lot of things. people could walk into a room with their ground boas of any type, and question if its their snake. mine goes from brown, to rust, to bright red, to even a greyish red. hope that helps some.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply, my problem is that they are so small I can't see (or feel) whether they have spurs or not (I've seen them on adults so I have a fair idea of what they look like.)

So, do you think that if I have a male I would definitely be able to see (or feel) spurs on a 40 gram (under 2 ounce) 60cm (2 foot) long snake? If so, then I have three females.

Cheers,
Helen

youd definately see them in a two footer. i could see them in the "viper boa" pair, which both had spurs, at 8 inches long. you most likely have all females. post some pics.

Hi again Mike,

Ok, maybe it's my eyesight.... I had a squint last night and thought I could make out what may be a spur, but it also could have been wishful thinking. I'll get the camera out tonight and see what I can get.

Thanks for the continuing input

Hi,
I have taken some photos to try and sex my young Fiji boas. I have to say that I am not finding this site as intuitive as others I use, and have had some problems trying to load the pics - I hope I manage to get something through!
I have three young Fiji boas, born in captivity to wild-caught females. (I'm in Fiji). They are between 12 and 18 months old, 55 - 65cm long, weighing around 40 gms each.
I have not been able to see spurs with my naked eye, but in close up photos I think I am seeing spurs on snakes 1 and 2, and not on snake 3. However, 3 is the youngest.
Here are photos - opinions welcome.
Other photos are in my gallery: Helenthereef
Thanks,
Helen

ALL CANDOIA CAN BE SEXED IMMEDIATELY UPON BIRTH...YA GOTTA KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE SPURS....ITS EASY....I SEX MINE AS SOON AS THEY ARE BORN WITH 100% ACCURACY....JERRY

Jerry,
What ever became of the 3 Fiji's you had some time ago?
Just curious,
Scott

HI SCOTT.....I SOLD THEM 7 YEARS AGO AFTER MY DIVORCE....I THINK MY BUDDY JAY WAGNER MAY STILL HAVE THEM....THEY NEVER BRED....JERRY