Pacific Boa Constrictor Snakes (Candoia bibroni bibroni)

He was asleep at first but then did at least pop his head up for a look to see what was going on.

All snakes get this cloudy look (called "Blue) a few days before they shed their skin. This is Magenta in blue, about 4 days before shedding

Magenta with clear eyes, after shedding skin. He's very pale in this pic: he can change to a very dark brown at will. It seems to depend what colour of branch or hide I put in their tank. Often he's dark brown when I get him out and over half an hour of handling will pale down to this almost pink colour.

Rifraf and Magenta on a piece of mangrove root. They like this as it has a lot of nooks and crannies for wedging themselves into, and they sleep on this a lot. Aplogies for the few droppings you can see: it was just being taken out for cleaning.

Rifraf's noble profile....

Fiji Boa Candoia bibroni bibroni Kula Eco Park - Viti Levu, Fiji © 2007 Sarah P. Otto Jungle Mouse - Pacific Tree Boa

Helen and I had a friend of ours capture these and Helen preserved them in Taveuni before transporting to Dick Watling in Suva. A NEW snake species has been discovered at Vuna on Taveuni. + Enlarge this image According to NatureFiji-MareqetiViti , a conservation organisation, this new species is not only new to Fiji but has not been found anywhere else in the world. The snake is a small, blind, burrowing snake. It is shiny black in colour, reaches about 25 cm in length, and is harmless. A preliminary reaction from Dr George Zug of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington , the world authority on Fiji's reptiles, is that this is unlike any other described species of snake in the world. A survey undertaken by NatureFiji-MareqetiViti in conjunction with the Taveuni Paradise Resort has revealed that most farmers in south Taveuni are quite familiar with the Ngata ni qele, though they only see it rarely when digging their garde...

Bit off subject but thought I would highlight this snake from Fiji as it is on the endangered list. Fiji Burrowing Snake: Ogmodon vitianus Photo: Paddy Ryan. A juvenile Fiji Burrowing snake, with the distinguishing yellow mark on the back of the head. The Fiji burrowing snake is very distinct from the more widely known Pacific Boa, Candoia bibroni . The Fiji burrowing snake is much smaller, growing up to a maximum snout-vent length of 30 cm. It has a small head which is indistinct from the neck, a short tail, and smooth body scales. The body is a uniform dark brown or mid-brown in colour with lighter sides. The belly is generally pale brown or white blotched with black or brown in colour. Younger snakes can be distinguished by the yellowish mark on the back of the head (see picture). The eyes are small and dark, and do not have a vertical pupil. This snake has only been recorded from Viti Levu from the Wainikoroiluva Valley, the Sigatoka Valley, Naitasiri and the Monasavu ar...

Rifraf nose on!