Determining Species?

[Sunrunner]

Hey all, I need to know if there is an exact way to tell what species is what (true red tails). Like how do you tell a Suri is a Suri? or a Guyan is a Guyan? I know they have an average look about most of them, but is there a way to know for sure?
Any info would be great
Thanks

[JDouglas]

Check out this website. It explains a lot!
http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html

[Gary D.]

Simple answer is no. The reality if the situation is that they are essentially the same animal. The locale deliniation is dubious at best and will always be a subject of debate. This fact in itself suggests there is no definitive difference. In the wild both localles inhabit a geographic area of less than 400 square miles with no significant geographic barriers, only political borders.The two localles are essentially determined, not by biology, but by appearance. It has long been accepted by hobiests that Suris tend to have less speckling and more pinkish colouration, while guyanans have a more purpleish hue. However any shipment of W/C imports from either region will have a mixture of traits. It would be more accurate to describe the locality as Guiana Shield boas and not Surinams or Guyanans.

Sorry I can't give you the answer you were looking for, but that's the way it is.

Oh, and not trying to be an arrogant di**, but to offer a helpful clarification. The animals you referred to are of the same species, and even the same subspecies (thus all the B.c.c. and B.c.i. stuff). the term you were looking for was locale. A locale specific animal is one which, while sharing a taxonomical name may have varying appearances within it's range. IMHO too much emphasis is put on this, particularly with boas. The true value in a locale is only with KNOWN genetic lineage, and not simply appearance.

Hope that helps somewhat.
GD