2021 0.1 Candoia paulsoni, Solomon Island ground boa, white phase - Inej

[Starscream]

Just bumping because I found this thread after searching Solomon Island ground boas after seeing several CBB listed on MM. There seem to be a few breeders active on there now, and the range of colors even in the same litter is really cool.
I'm not in the market right now but maybe someday, they seem like such cool little boas.

Mine's doing quite well! She came to me taking frozen/thawed day-old pinkies and is now taking multiple pinks per feeding. I don't recall if I mentioned who I acquired her from, but her breeder is Stygian Exotics based in Michigan. They have a good variety of both tree and ground boas that I like to admire on instagram.

She's bitten me once in what was very clearly a food-motivated way, but otherwise seems more interested in running than biting. She's pretty calm once in the hand, though.

A few pics, though they are kinda old. I keep forgetting to take pictures instead of just handling or admiring her lmao.

[Bogertophis]

She's coming along nicely! And her behavior sounds "par for the course" for most young snakes- a few "mistake"-nips can be anticipated while learning to feel safe in those soft warm hands.

Thanks for sharing your source, especially that yours was well-started to begin with- that helps snakes so much. I'm really happy to see more interest in ppl working with these- they've been over-looked for far too long.

[Starscream]

She's coming along nicely! And her behavior sounds "par for the course" for most young snakes- a few "mistake"-nips can be anticipated while learning to feel safe in those soft warm hands.

Thanks for sharing your source, especially that yours was well-started to begin with- that helps snakes so much. I'm really happy to see more interest in ppl working with these- they've been over-looked for far too long.

Agreed on behavior -- she's a very little girl in a very big world. I can't fault her for thinking my finger looked like food.

I thought I had shared a link at some point but couldn't remember if I had actually named them. They were very clear on making sure their snakes were well started, and wouldn't even ship her until she had taken 6 f/t meals in a row. Mad respect for that, and it definitely made her transition to my house a lot easier.

[Starscream]

Inej is coming up on 9 months and still so very tiny. She is huge compared to when I first acquired her, but she doesn't look it lol.

[dakski]

Looking good.

Any more mistaking fingers for food? How's her temperament turning out?

[Starscream]

Looking good.

Any more mistaking fingers for food? How's her temperament turning out?

Thanks. She did actually bite me about an hour before I took this photo, but she's pretty food motivated so I expected it. Once she realizes there isn't food she's about as chill as my ball python with handling, so I think I'll start tap training her. Her everything is so tiny I do worry about accidentally hurting her...

[Bogertophis]

Thanks. She did actually bite me about an hour before I took this photo, but she's pretty food motivated so I expected it. Once she realizes there isn't food she's about as chill as my ball python with handling, so I think I'll start tap training her. Her everything is so tiny I do worry about accidentally hurting her...

Then instead of "tapping her", just offer something soft that smells nothing like her food- it can be your worn clothing if you like- but either way, that often "changes the channel" sufficiently- it's just about letting them know that it's not food coming their way. You can also use a cardboard tube, that's softer than a hook, & she won't catch her teeth on it either. Most anything will work to signal a snake this way.

[Starscream]

I'll think about it and what I have lying around the house that might be suitable. Thanks for the suggestions!

Caught her in her water bowl looking very fired up. You can see how much she's grown compared to the first pic on this page!

[Bogertophis]

Whatever you use, try to put your scent on the item too, so she'll learn that your incoming scent means "no risk- self defense not needed".

The one advantage of using a snake hook though is that you can gently lift a snake- & for those determined biters, being able to lift them mid-body & then to set them onto your hand will minimize the risk, while they remember the feeling of being handled & that they're safe with you. You could cover the tip of your hook with something like a bit of soft rubber/plastic tubing or maybe silicone, in case they bite it.

[vkahri]

Been scouting for a smaller species of boa for a while and landed on Candoia paulsoni sometime last year, but things didn't line up to acquire one until this month. So without further ado, I introduce Inej.

Pictures the breeder sent me before shipping:





And then the ones I've taken since she came home:




She was born 3/31, and as of today she weighs 12 grams. So small!

Absolutely gorgeous! I hope mine looks that good in a few months (or more....). Still hasn't eaten for me. Your's has a nice girth. People say they can go months without eating, but if they are not girthy or had a few meals in them first, I wonder if that remains true.