Corallus caninus Nederland - website dedicated to the Emerald Tree Boa of South America

Adult Corallus caninus reach sexual maturity at the age of 4-5 years. At this age the females are generally a little larger than males. A general rule for measuring sexual maturity is the weight of the adults. An adult male should weigh about 1100 grams, females between 1200-1500 grams before breeding attempts are made.

Reproduction (courtship by the males, copulations and ovulation in the female) in captivity can be induced in Corallus caninus artificially from the months of November through to February/March by reducing the daytime and nighttime temperatures by approx. 5 degrees C. Normal daytime temperatures will be generally between 26-29 degrees C, so during the mating season this should be reduced to 24-28 degrees and likewise at night (18-22 degrees C during the mating season). During this period humidity is also increased by spraying early in the mornings and after dark. Daytime temperatures, although a little lower, should still be sufficient for the animals to warm up adequately on their perches before the colder nights set in. An average daytime temp. of 26-29 degrees C is recommended in this species and hot-spot perches can be used for this purpose.

After 4-6 weeks, with a reduction in cage temperatures (at night only) and a relatively higher humidity during the day, the male is introduced to the confinement of the female in the middle of December through to February and March at intermittent periods of 2-4 days. After successful matings, ovulation in the female should occur between February and March. Once ovulation is seen, the animals should be separated and the temperature and humidity returned to normal. The female should be provided with ample 'basking' space during gestation and gravidity. A successful pregnancy will last about 8-10 months (sometimes longer, depending on the temperatures) following ovulation, so birth should occur in the months of October/November, i.e. approx. 150-225 days (or longer) from the time of the female's post-ovulation shedding (POS).
Corallus caninus gives birth to live young (ovoiviviparous), typically between 4-8 on the first occasion and up to 16 on subsequent occasions. The young are relatively large and can measure up to 40 cm. The same applies to Corallus hortulanus and other snakes of the Corallus group which are also ovoviviparous. In Corallus hortulanus, the young are more slender.