Bibron's bevel-nosed boa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bibron's bevel-nosed boa |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Candoia
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| Species: |
bibroni
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| Synonyms | |
Candoia bibroni, often called Bibron's bevel-nosed boa or the Pacific tree boa, is a type of boa snake. It lives only in certain parts of Melanesia and Polynesia. Like all boas, this snake is not venomous, meaning it doesn't have poison.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name, bibroni, was given to honor a French expert on reptiles and amphibians named Gabriel Bibron.
Appearance and Size
The Candoia bibroni is the biggest snake in its group, called Candoia. Adult snakes can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, including their tail.
These snakes usually have a light brown, tan, or reddish-brown color. They often have stripes, blotches, or spots on their bodies. However, some of them don't have any pattern at all!
Where They Live
You can find Candoia bibroni in Melanesia and Polynesia. This includes many islands like:
- The eastern Solomon Islands (such as Olu Malau, Ugi, Rennell, Makira, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Bellona, Vanikoro, and Utupua)
- The Banks Islands (Vanua Lava Island)
- Vanuatu
- All three of the Loyalty Islands
- The Fiji Islands (including Rotuma, the Yasawa Group, and the Lau Group)
- Western Samoa (Savaiʻi and Upolu Islands)
- American Samoa (Taʻū Island)
The first place where this snake was officially found and described was the Fiji Islands.
Their Home (Habitat)
Candoia bibroni prefers to live in forests. They can be found from sea level all the way up to about 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) high in the mountains.
What They Eat
This snake hunts for its food both on the ground and up in the trees. They eat birds, lizards, and small mammals, including bats.
How They Reproduce
Candoia bibroni snakes are viviparous. This means that instead of laying eggs, the mother snake gives birth to live baby snakes.
Different Types (Subspecies)
There are two recognized subspecies, or types, of Candoia bibroni:
| Subspecies | Named by | Common name | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|---|
| C. b. australis | (Montrouzier, 1860) | Solomon Islands tree boa | Solomon Islands/Tonga Island |
| C. b. bibroni | (A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844) | Pacific tree boa | the South Pacific Islands |
