Viper Boa
Candoia aspera
A short, stout ground boa that mimics the appearance of a viper despite being harmless.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.8 m (1.6-2.6 ft)
- Range
- New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Viper Boa gets its name from its stocky, viper-like body shape and rough scales, an example of convergent evolution rather than any relation to true vipers. It is one of the most distinctively shaped boas.
Found in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, it lives on the forest floor and is known for its ambush hunting style suited to its short, heavy build.
How to identify it
- Short, very stout body with a triangular head, resembling a viper
- Rough, strongly keeled scales
- Coloration typically brown, gray, or reddish with darker blotches
- Short tail relative to body
- Distinguished from true vipers by round pupils in some populations and lack of heat pits/fangs typical of vipers
Habitat & range
Found in lowland rainforest and leaf litter on the forest floor across New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, often near forest edges and disturbed areas.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and terrestrial, an ambush predator that lies in wait for small mammals, lizards, and frogs. Its stout body allows powerful, sudden strikes. Reproduces via live birth.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Viper Boa venomous?
No, despite its viper-like appearance, it is a non-venomous constrictor.
Why does it look like a viper?
Its stout body and triangular head are a case of convergent evolution, likely aiding camouflage and ambush hunting, not true relation to vipers.
Where does it live?
New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, on the forest floor.
How can you tell it apart from a true viper?
It lacks heat-sensing facial pits and long hinged fangs characteristic of vipers, and its range does not overlap with true viper species.
Viper Boa guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Viper Boa.
