ReneeB
10-30-02, 08:59 AM
Differences between Red Tail Boas and Common Boas
Do you get confused by hearing names like Colombian Red Tail Boa, Common Boa, or True Red Tail Boa? If so read on and I will attempt to shed some light on the topic. Snakes have scientific Latin names and (sometimes several) common names. Though this seems simple there is sometimes debate among herpetoculturists about exact names. This confusion can also be compounded with the fact that snakes are sometimes collected in one country, smuggled, and then exported from a country that has different export laws under the new name. However I don't know how often this takes place with Common and Red Tail boas. Most pet stores and even breeders will often sell a Common Boa labeled as a Colombian Red Tail Boa. I don't believe many of them are actually trying to be deceptive but rather use a common name that almost seems to be a standard among herpetoculturists. Most herpetoculturists though, will not normally consider a Colombian Boa a "True Red Tail Boa". Sounds confusing doesn't it? Thus you will often see the scientific name included in a writings concerning these snakes. Below is a description about the most commonly collected boas.
True Red Tail Boas, Boa constrictor constrictor
Location: Suriname, Guyana, eastern Peru, southern Colombia, or southern Brazil.
Adult Size: 9-12 feet as adults, in a rare case up to 15 feet. Weight: Up to 60 pounds for a very large specimen.
General information: Much more expensive than Common Boas. Generally considered more attractive than Common Boas. Grow at a slower rate than Common Boas
Common Boa Constrictors, Boa constrictor imperator
Location: Central Mexico, Central America, to northern and central South America.
Adult Size: 6-9 feet as adults but occasionally reaching 11 feet.
Weight: Up to 30 pounds on occasion up to 50 pounds.
General information: Much less expensive than True Red Tail Boas. With some checking around you can find a Common Boa that is extremely attractive and almost indistinguishable from a True Red Tail. Easier to breed than True Red Tails. Grow at a faster rate than True Red Tails.
I found this info at http://www.reticulated.co.uk/differenceboas.html
Enjoy
Renée
Do you get confused by hearing names like Colombian Red Tail Boa, Common Boa, or True Red Tail Boa? If so read on and I will attempt to shed some light on the topic. Snakes have scientific Latin names and (sometimes several) common names. Though this seems simple there is sometimes debate among herpetoculturists about exact names. This confusion can also be compounded with the fact that snakes are sometimes collected in one country, smuggled, and then exported from a country that has different export laws under the new name. However I don't know how often this takes place with Common and Red Tail boas. Most pet stores and even breeders will often sell a Common Boa labeled as a Colombian Red Tail Boa. I don't believe many of them are actually trying to be deceptive but rather use a common name that almost seems to be a standard among herpetoculturists. Most herpetoculturists though, will not normally consider a Colombian Boa a "True Red Tail Boa". Sounds confusing doesn't it? Thus you will often see the scientific name included in a writings concerning these snakes. Below is a description about the most commonly collected boas.
True Red Tail Boas, Boa constrictor constrictor
Location: Suriname, Guyana, eastern Peru, southern Colombia, or southern Brazil.
Adult Size: 9-12 feet as adults, in a rare case up to 15 feet. Weight: Up to 60 pounds for a very large specimen.
General information: Much more expensive than Common Boas. Generally considered more attractive than Common Boas. Grow at a slower rate than Common Boas
Common Boa Constrictors, Boa constrictor imperator
Location: Central Mexico, Central America, to northern and central South America.
Adult Size: 6-9 feet as adults but occasionally reaching 11 feet.
Weight: Up to 30 pounds on occasion up to 50 pounds.
General information: Much less expensive than True Red Tail Boas. With some checking around you can find a Common Boa that is extremely attractive and almost indistinguishable from a True Red Tail. Easier to breed than True Red Tails. Grow at a faster rate than True Red Tails.
I found this info at http://www.reticulated.co.uk/differenceboas.html
Enjoy
Renée