Palau bevelnosed boa  (Candoia superciliosa)

Listed on Appendix II of CITES (1).

The Palau bevelnosed boa is a slender snake, with a long prehensile tail (4) and a broad, flat snout (2). Individuals vary greatly in colour, from lemon yellow to charcoal to bright brick red, and may be patterned with either dull or brightly contrasting stripes, spots or zigzags (2). However, all Palau bevelnosed boas have a distinguishing white spot situated behind the anus, and characteristic enlarged scales above the eye sockets (2). Two subspecies are recognised: Candoia superciliosa superciliosa (northern Belau bevelnosed boa) and Candoia superciliosa crombiei (Ngeaur bevelnosed boa) (2).

Until recently the Palau bevelnosed boa was considered a subspecies of Candoia carinata, which is found throughout most of the Solomon Islands Archipelago (3). It has now been given full species status (2), but due to a lack of specific data, much of the available information refers to Candoia carinata.

The Palau bevelnosed boa is found on the islands of the Palau (or Belua) Archipelago (2) (5). The subspecies C. s. crombiei (Ngeaur bevelnosed boa) is limited to the island of Ngeaur (2).

The Palau bevelnosed boa is commonly found in rainforest, although its abundance in backyard banana and taro (a root vegetable) patches in towns, and on almost completely deforested islands, shows it also adapts well to disturbed habitats (2).

Although mostly arboreal, this snake is also frequently found on the ground, and is active during both the day and night (2). It is highly prehensile, and will persistently grip any support within reach, with its tail or with its body. Its diet consists mainly of frogs and geckos, and occasionally skinks (2).

Unlike the majority of reptiles, the Palau bevelnosed boa gives birth to live young. Each litter contains an average of 12 young, but may contain as many as 50; litter size increases proportionally to the size of the female. Each female reproduces, on average, less frequently than once a year (3).

Despite its ability to adapt to disturbed habitats, it is still likely that the Palau bevelnosed boa, like all the terrestrial biodiversity of Palau, is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, caused by increased development, such as the construction of roads. Invasive species, uncontrolled fires and hunting also pose a threat to the fauna and flora of the archipelago (6).

There are currently no specific attempts to conserve the Palau bevelnosed boa; however, there are efforts underway to conserve the general biodiversity and efficiently manage the natural resources of the islands (6). The Palau National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan outlines actions that will help conserve the islands’ biodiversity, including establishing a network of protected areas and protecting the islands from the negative impacts of invasive species (6).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

To learn more about conservation in Palau see:

• Palau Conservation Society:
  http://www.palau-pcs.org/
• The Nature Conservancy:
  http://www.nature.org/wherewework/asiapacific/micronesia/work/palau.html