Viper Boa (Candoia aspera)

Common Name: Viper Boa
Scientific Name: Candoia aspera
Source: WC
Adult Size: 60–90cm (2–3ft), stocky and heavy-bodied for their length
Native Range: New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and surrounding Pacific island groups

Enclosure: A minimum 90×45×45cm Viperia PVC vivarium for an adult, furnished with deep moisture-retaining substrate (coconut fibre or a soil/bark mix), multiple secure hides at both the warm and cool ends, and sturdy low branches or cork bark for light climbing and enrichment
Heating: Warm end surface temperature of around 30–32°C, ambient air temperature of 26–28°C across the enclosure, with a natural night-time drop to 22–24°C — achieved via a thermostat-controlled heat mat or low-wattage heat cable under one side of the enclosure
Humidity: 70–80%; maintain by misting the enclosure once or twice daily and using a deep moisture-retaining substrate — good ventilation is essential to prevent stagnant damp conditions
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask 20–30cm from it if it chooses — while viper boas are largely crepuscular (most active around dawn and dusk) and do not bask conspicuously, low-level UVB provision supports long-term health and reflects the dappled light conditions of their forest floor habitat
Diet: Primarily rodents in captivity — offer appropriately sized defrosted mice or rat pups every 10–14 days for adults; juveniles can be fed every 7–10 days. Some individuals may initially prefer lizard or frog-scented prey; patience and scent-transfer are often all that's needed to convert stubborn feeders

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The viper boa is a beautifully primitive-looking snake from the rainforests of New Guinea and the surrounding Pacific islands, named for its striking resemblance to a viper — complete with a broad, triangular head, keeled scales, and a thick, powerful body. Despite the fierce appearance, Candoia aspera is a non-venomous boa and a genuinely fascinating display animal that brings a real sense of the exotic into any collection.

These are calm, slow-moving snakes that tend to sit tight and observe the world rather than dash about, making them well suited to keepers who enjoy watching a species rather than handling one constantly. They are best regarded as an intermediate-level species — straightforward in terms of diet and heating, but requiring consistent attention to humidity and a keeper who appreciates a more sedentary, hands-off character.