IUCN Red List Category: LC (Draft 2013-04-16)
Animalia | Chordata | Vertebrata | Reptilia | Squamata | Serpentes | Boidae | Candoia | Candoia aspera |
Taxonomic notes: Section empty
This species occurs on the New Guinea mainland, excluding the south coast from the Palau river, Indonesian New Guinea to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It has been recorded on the offshore Indonesian islands of Waigeo, Waisai, Misool, Batanta and Salawati (Raja Amput Islands) in West Papua and Yapen and Biak in Papua Province. In Papua New Guinea it has been recorded on Kaka Island, Umboi Island and the Bismarck Archipelago islands of New Britain, Duke of York, New Ireland and Admiralty islands (O'Shea 1996). It ranges from sea level to around 1,300 m asl (i.e. Wabag).
This can be an abundant species, particularly in disturbed habitats (e.g. coconut plantation).
This species inhabits primary and secondary rainforest modified environments such as coconut or cocoa plantations and rural gardens (O'Shea 1996). This terrestrial, nocturnal species is usually found under or among leaf litter and other ground debris. It is a 'sit and wait' predator feeding on frogs, lizards and small ground-dwelling mammals (McCoy 2006).
This species is found in the pet trade and populations from Indonesia are subject to CITES quotas.
Yuwono (1998) recorded the trade of this species from Indonesian New Guinea, and that thousands of specimens could be collected if required.
Natusch and Lyons (2012) noted the trade of this species from Jayapura and the Vogelkop in Indonesian New Guinea. Fifteen and forty-four individuals respectively were recorded at wildlife traders between September 2010 – April 2011. The quota for this species was 500 from Papua and 800 from West Papua.
There is no quota from Papua New Guinea.
It is unlikely that any major threats are impacting this species. It is found in the pet trade but this is unlikely to be posing a significant threat.
This species is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php).
This species has protection status in Papua New Guinea but not in Indonesian New Guinea (Natusch and Lyons 2012).
This species occurs in many areas in New Guinea. Monitoring this species harvest and trade levels is recommended.
Candoia aspera has been assessed as Least Concern. It has a large distribution throughout New Guinea. It is abundant throughout its range, is not affected by any significant threats and is present in many protected areas.
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