Candoia aspera

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium, sealed against humidity loss, with a thick substrate and shelters. Ground area matters more than height; a few low branches and hides on both sides of the gradient.

An adult is content with a 90x45 cm floor area; enlarge for large females. Provide at least two hides (warm side and cool side) and a more humid zone. Good ventilation despite the high humidity to avoid stagnant air.

High, stable humidity (swamp-dwelling habits). Mist and maintain an area of damp substrate; however, avoid a waterlogged, stagnant substrate that promotes skin and respiratory infections.

Thick, moisture-retaining substrate to allow partial burrowing. Add a pocket of damp sphagnum as a shedding zone. Avoid resinous shavings (pine/cedar) and any dusty substrate.

Not essential (nocturnal species). Low UVB (T5 tube ~5%, UV index 1-2) is beneficial for the rhythm and metabolism, but remains optional if there are genuine shade zones and hides.

A large container of clean water available at all times, wide enough to allow immersion (semi-aquatic habits). Renew frequently; soiled water promotes infections. It also helps maintain humidity.

New Guinea (Indonesia: Papua / West Papua; Papua New Guinea) and neighbouring archipelagos. Humid forests, leaf litter and low-altitude swampy areas.

Carnivore — Small rodents (pinky mice to adult mice depending on size); in the wild, also frogs, lizards and small mammals.

EXTREMELY SLOW METABOLISM (slower than the ball python): feed sparingly — a modest prey item every 2 to 4 weeks for an adult — otherwise there is a risk of rapid obesity. Wild specimens may be specialised on frogs/lizards and refuse rodents at first; a gradual transfer (scent, rubbed prey) is sometimes necessary.

Litters surprisingly numerous for the animal's size. Reproductive cycle linked to a slight cooling/seasonal variation; long gestation. Separate the neonates and start them individually.

• Internal parasites (nematodes, protozoa) and external mites, very common in wild-caught imported specimens — quarantine and faecal examination are essential
• Respiratory infections linked to a waterlogged substrate, insufficient ventilation or temperatures that are too low
• Obesity and hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) from overfeeding (very slow metabolism)
• Difficult sheds / dysecdysis and shed retention if humidity is too low
• Regurgitation and feeding stress, particularly in poorly acclimatised wild imports