Candoia Neonate feeding question

[warbeast720]

Hi from Manila!

I'm a proud owner of a '06 ball python and he'll turn 11 this September. :)

Within the next month or so, I am thinking of getting a Candoia boa "hatchling"/neonate who's already started feeding on pinkies. Supposedly, she was born last May of this year.

Care info on Candoia boas are relatively sparse; which leads me to a couple of questions:



Google tells me that adults are fed every 2 or 3 weeks; how often should I feed a hatchling/neonate?
Since she's already started on pinkies, do we have an estimate how soon she'll be able to take at least a hopper mouse?

Thanks in adv! :)

[Aaron_S]

Candoia are an interesting species.

I would feed 7 - 10 days until adulthood.
Depends on how fast it grows. My assumption is within a year.

Also depends on what subspecies of Candoia you are getting. Is it Solomon Island ground boa? A viper boa? Which?

[warbeast720]

Its a solomon island if I push through with this transaction; altho im on the look out for viper boas. Sadly, the herp market here is dominated by burms, retics and royals/balls.

Thanks for the feedback; i'll secure the pinkies before continuing with the purchase :)

[warbeast720]

Hey @Aaron_S

It's a Solomon Island Ground boa if i push through with the transaction; altho I'm hoping to spot a Viper Boa since I like the stubby look. I've kept Afrocks and Retics before, so their "reputation" doesn't faze me at all. :D

Here's to hoping for a good deal on the Candoias! :)

[Aaron_S]

Its a solomon island if I push through with this transaction; altho im on the look out for viper boas. Sadly, the herp market here is dominated by burms, retics and royals/balls.

Thanks for the feedback; i'll secure the pinkies before continuing with the purchase :)

Awesome! Sounds like you're in good shape.

[dannybgoode]

Candoia sp are notoriously difficult to get feeding and even if you have one that is taking pinkies it may just change its mind.

I have never experienced a snake that seems so intent on starving itself to death. I had a neonate C paulsoni that was feeding for the breeder but stopped for me and eventually died. Just would not fed for me and then the stress of assist feeding pushed it over the edge.

They're bomb proof feeders when established but having spoken to a few breeders and keepers over here (UK) I would now not get another one until it was a solid f/t feeder of at least 8 months, preferably 12 months old.

Trouble is they're so much work when young and litters are huge that breeders sometimes have a tendency to pass them on before they're ready. They not a 'valuable' snake and I doubt a breeder that keeps the young for 8 months + will make any money.

As for feeding frequency their metabolism is insanely slow. Certainly every 10 days when very young but out to 2 weeks by a year old and once 4 or 5 then every 6 - 8 weeks. They really do not need more than that. As adults they also shed very infrequently - perhaps only twice a year.

Fascinating snakes but I'd be extremely cautious about getting a neonate regardless of what the breeder says about feeding. There is a thread on my Cell paulsoni in the general boa forum.