Finally-meet Daphne-Candoia paulsoni

[dannybgoode]

After what seems an eternity she's finally here. Very very beautiful-the eyes in particular are to die for.

Smallest snake by a long way and they grow very slow-even by Boa standards.

A few photos for now and she's just settling in so more in due course.

[david26]

Wow that is a very unique animal super cool

[Andy_G]

Very cool, Danny. You'll love having a paulsoni around.

[Minkness]

Are those also known as Solomon ground boas? Because I have looked into those lately!

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by Minkness

Are those also known as Solomon ground boas? Because I have looked into those lately!

They're exactly it mink. Very cool. It you get a neonate make sure it's feeding as if CB 100% of them need assisting for the first few months. A real pain to get going then they're eating machines (albeit very very slow metabolism so easy to over.feed).

The reason I waited for this girl is the breeder wanted to be 100% she'd take f/t with no issues. Few breeders work with them because they require a lot of work but don't attract a high price tag.

Great snakes though. Everyone I know with one really rates them.

[richardhind]

Wow very impressive,can't believe how small she is,small things and all that, great markings aswell,look forward to see her pics as she grows up on here
Congrats

[dannybgoode]

Thanks guys-I'm made up with her and the breeder is a really nice kid so happy to support him. He has some real nice FWC's that I'm tempted by also.

Should get to a reasonably chunky 3-4'. They have quite rough scales that leach the trains tannins front leaves and pick up the soil etc to become more camouflaged then brighten right up after shed and then repeat.

Oddly given their common name (Solomon Island ground boa) they are semi arboreal and as youngsters more permanently so. Daphne is in the branches as we speak-no sign of hiding.

I also picked up a rather natty enclosure for her than was around the equivalent of $25. Was going to stick with a RUB for now but saw this at the show and thought why not. Will post pics when I've smartened it up after quarantine.

[toddnbecka]

Very nice light brown shades on yours, I've hardly seen two that look the same yet. Seems to be an endless variety of color shadings among them. The eyes are fantastic, and I think they're called ground boas to differentiate them from the Solomon Island tree boas that are a more arboreal species. From what I've read it seems the babies are more inclined to live under leaf litter and prefer somewhat cooler temps than larger juveniles or adults.

[sirtalis]

Wow, I really like the eyes, especially how the blend in with the rest of the body's coloration

[dannybgoode]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Very nice light brown shades on yours, I've hardly seen two that look the same yet. Seems to be an endless variety of color shadings among them. The eyes are fantastic, and I think they're called ground boas to differentiate them from the Solomon Island tree boas that are a more arboreal species. From what I've read it seems the babies are more inclined to live under leaf litter and prefer somewhat cooler temps than larger juveniles or adults.

Interesting you should not the temperature. The breeder has noticed a high mortality rate if neonates/juveniles are kept with a warm end any hotter than 26c (around 79f).

They also get lethargic and overweight if they do not have plenty of opportunities to climb.

Re: the colours-yes I noticed that with the other snakes the breeder had. Some were very dark, some with little pattern contrast etc. I really like the paler ones anyway abbe as luck would have it that's what I got.

[Tsubaki]

She looks great! Candoia really are underrated

[SnakeyJay]

Wicked pickup mate, I know you've been waiting a few months to get this one... It's a shame I couldn't go this time dude, hopefully catch you at the next one

[dannybgoode]

[QUOTE=SnakeyJay;1009238]Wicked pickup mate, I know you've been waiting a few months to get this one... It's a shame I couldn't go this time dude, hopefully catch you at the next one [/QUOTE

Hopefully I'll be down to pick up a little something from you well before next one .

Show was pretty good. Usual moaning that there was nothing interesting but 90% of people who go have no idea what's interesting and what's not!

[dannybgoode]

So I've changed Daphne's setup from quarantine spec to pretty OK spec. Nice ecoearth type substrate with a layer of leaf litter. As I grow bonsai I've been able to keep the leaves to scale!

Then a fake vine with plenty of fake plants, some bark and cork hides and Bob's your uncle.

My hatred of under tank heat mats is well documented so I've managed to source a nano ceramic heater. Bulb is a mere 20W and works a treat. Just need to work out how to squeeze in a UV source.

She's proving difficult to get feeding and I'm hoping this new setup will be preferable to her.

I'm pretty pleased with how its turned out. Bear in mind this viv is tiny 1'x1'x9"! The snake is tiny also-she will of course get an upgrade when needed.

[toddnbecka]

Plenty of cover in the mini jungle setup, but why are you wanting a UV bulb? Snakes don't normally require those, unlike other reptiles.