Taxonomic notes: The distribution pattern suggests that the taxonomy of this species needs to be reviewed (A. Allison pers. comm. September 2011).

This species has a wide distribution occurring in the Indonesian islands of Halmahera and northeastern Sulawesi. In Papua New Guinea it occurs on the northern coast from Morobe to Milne Bay, and has also been recorded at Telefomin in West Sepik Province (needs confirmation), the Trans-Fly and upper Fly river (needs confirmation) in Western Province and the Milne Bay Province islands of Goodenough, Fergusson, Dobu, Normanby, Kiriwina, Kitava, Woodlark, Rossel and Tagula (O’Shea 1996, O’Shea 2007). It has been recorded on the eastern Admiralty islands (needs confirmation) and virtually all the Solomon islands except for Ontong Java, Duff, Tikopia and Anuta. This species occurs from sea level to at least 300 m asl (McCoy 2006); possibly higher, at Telefomin. The distribution pattern suggests that the taxonomy needs to be reviewed (A. Allison pers. comm. September 2011).

This species occurs abundantly in a variety of habitats including closed-canopy forest and modified areas such as plantations, cultivated land , rural gardens and human habitations. It has occasional records from the littoral zone and from within cave systems (M. McCoy pers. comm. August 2012). It is mainly nocturnal but occasionally moves about during the day. It is basically terrestrial though it is an efficient climber and sometimes can be found in tree hollows and in oil palms. On the ground it lives among any suitable cover from leaf litter to rock piles, plantation debris, grass tussocks and under fallen timber. When young, it feeds upon small lizards, particularly skinks, and larger snakes feed upon larger lizards and small mammals. This species has been found deep within limestone caves where it was presumably feeding on small bats and/or juvenile frogs of the genus Discodeles that also occurred there. This snake can be aggressive in temperament, striking repeatedly if provoked. It is ovoviviparous and up to 20 or more young are produced at a time (McCoy 2006).

This is a common species. McCoy (2006) notes the Solomon Island population appears stable at present, and it is abundant in a variety of habitats including forest, cultivated areas and human habitation.

Leary (1991) reviews the live reptile and amphibian export trade from the Solomon Islands between 1989 and 1990; a total of 27,675 reptiles were exported, 4,251 (15.4%) of which were this species. It seems likely that there is some trade from Indonesia. Endemic island subspecies (e.g. those of Woodlark and Misima islands) may be vulnerable to overcollecting.

It is unlikely that any major threats are impacting this species. It is possible that overcollection for the pet trade may cause or have caused localized declines, and anecdotally villagers in some areas attribute an increase in rat densities to reduced boa populations (M. McCoy pers. comm. August 2012). Overall, however, the Solomon Island population appears stable at present, and export of reptiles from the Solomon Islands has now been banned (M. McCoy pers. comm. August 2012).

This species is listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES). This species has protection status in Papua New Guinea but not in Indonesia. This species occurs in protected areas in New Guinea.

Candoia paulsoni has been assessed as Least Concern. It has a large distribution ranging from the eastern Indonesian islands, eastern New Guinea and the Solomon islands. It is abundant throughout its range, occupies a wide variety of habitats including modified areas, and is not affected by any major threats.

• Kraus, F. and Allison, A. 2004. New records of reptiles and amphibians from Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Herpetological Review. 35: 413-418.
• O'Shea, M. 1996. A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea. Independent Publishing, Independent Group Ltd., Port Moresby, PNG.
• O'Shea, M. 2007. Boas and Pythons of the World. New Holland, London.