New boa Not sure what kind it is Help

[erghiez]

I recently bought my 2nd snake, they said it was a American Boa and is possible to grow to 10 feet in length and have the possibly width of my head lol after i bought him I started researching things for my snake and I came across a Caulkers Cay Boa picture ( Dwarf Boa that reaches only 5 feet in length ) and looks almost the same as mine.

Any snake experts able to tell me what kind of boa I own. Did I get owned at the pet shop? lol

My msn is jiggyjosh@gmail.com and my email is joshuataylor@videotron.ca if you can let me know I would appreciate it alot!

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/erghiez/DSCI0414.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/erghiez/DSCI0417.jpg

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/erghiez/DSCI0416.jpg

[Aaron_S]

I'm not the best at identifying a locale of boa, but it could be a central american boa. Still smaller than the one you were told about but not the one you saw the picture of. I'm fairly certain they go for more than an 'american' boa anyways.

[erghiez]

I paid 149.99 plus tax at the pet shop, I never really go on sites and have reptiles shipped to me even if its saving a few bucks. I personally like to handle the reptile before I purchase it just to make sure its right for me.

I love this snake cant wait till he grows bigger! I googled a central american boa and he seem's to be that type. Thanks for the help

Josh

[gonesnakee]

Best bet for buying any herp is breeder direct at a reptile show. First off no middleman to pay an extra cut to & more improtantly getting it from the source along with all the proper husbandry advice right off the get go. At a show you can meet face to face & see/handle stock & go from there. Mark
edit - as for the Boa it looks like a common Boa yep

[erghiez]

Ya I figured that out after I bought this snake and registered on snake forums.

Im going to the Reptile Expo in Montreal Canada Sunday Aug 10th! Ill probally learn some stuff about snakes and might get a nice deal on a new baby.

[Tom Wellum]

It is a Central American. I have three. The saddles connect for more on C.Am than other BCIs. Could be a cross bread but I would say it is a Central. Good looking baby!

[totheend]

Ya I figured that out after I bought this snake and registered on snake forums.

Im going to the Reptile Expo in Montreal Canada Sunday Aug 10th! Ill probally learn some stuff about snakes and might get a nice deal on a new baby.

How did you like the expo and did you get anything???

[Durtis]

that looks just like my red tail boa

[PDXErik]

Ya I figured that out after I bought this snake and registered on snake forums.

Im going to the Reptile Expo in Montreal Canada Sunday Aug 10th! Ill probally learn some stuff about snakes and might get a nice deal on a new baby.

And, you'll kick yourself in the butt when you see how cost effective they are there and on top of that, from knowlegeable knowlegable (I don't have the damn spell checker on this one) people. I was aghast at the poor decisions I'd made when I went to my first show and saw what was really out there.

[Finn]

Ummm It looks like a Red Tail Boa to me....http://www.exoticpetvet.com/images/Red%20tail%20boa%20with%20lots%20of%20pink%201%20s mall.jpg

[Aaron_S]

Are you seriously trying to say a Central American boa looks like that suriname(Or at least I think it's a suri)? Trust me, they aren't the same subspecies.

[Finn]

Was that directed at me? But they look the same lol T.T

[Aaron_S]

They don't look even close! One is grey and one is a very tan/brown. Not the same!

[Finn]

OOOOKKKK okk, fine..and ya know...all snakes look a little different. They arn't all identical. I still think its a red tail lol but just ignore me...i'm probably wrong >.<

[Aaron_S]

You can argue but the fact remains they have a distinct variation in colour. The only thing it could be would be if it was a cross and it doesn't look like it is. You are partially right though, it's scientific name is boa constrictor imperator and it's close to the suriname, which is boa constrictor constrictor. Think of them as cousins. The picture you posted starts out as grey, and the one from the original is obviously a different colour.

[gonesnakee]

Ah all Boas look somewhat the same yes as they are all related to one another. There are however several very distinct subspecies of Boa constrictors. The orginal posters pic is not a Red Tail Boa. The other pic provided by Finn is. Red tail is just a marketing name anyhow & can be applied to multiple subspecies of Boa. Look at the first pic & then the second. Can you see the differences? I can see plenty. Color, pattern, saddles etc. are all very distinct from one to the other. To an untrained eye many snakes all appear to be the same, but they are all different subspecies for various taxonomy reasons. Even the exact same subspecies have their differences based on locale. Some are very subtle some are very obvious. The more one learns & understands Boas the easier it isto tell them all apart. The 2 Boas pictured are not the same even by a long shot ;) Mark

[Aaron_S]

Mark, you're always there to give a way better explanation than me. Thanks :D

[SerpentLust]

Just to add to what Aaron was saying about BCI and BCC's...

The difference between BCC's and BCI's is that they are divided by altitude and locality (the Andes)

BCI originate from Mexico, Central American countries and down into northern Colombia
BCC are east of the Andes: Central and Southern Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, and Trinidad.

BCI have more dorsal saddles or blotches (CAN BE as low as 19, but usually 21+)
BCC have less (sometimes 21, but usually less than 19)

BCC's tend to grow larger and are somewhat more heavy bodied than the BCI's.

Some BCI may have red in their tails but it is nowhere NEAR as vivid as what the BCC's are known for.

And Finn, in regards to still thinking it's a "Red Tail", that actual term is more of a pet store term to generate a sale, Red Tail Boa has been used in pet stores for a while regardless of what Locale the actual boa is. Although 9/10 when I see a "red tail boa" in a pet store, it's your common Colombian Boa Constrictor Imperator (BCI).

Hope this adds some clarity to the "who am I" thread hehe :)

[gonesnakee]

Mark, you're always there to give a way better explanation than me. Thanks :D

An even better explanation from Jenn & shes cuter too ;) Mark

[erghiez]

Thanks for all the info hah ya its a central american, his tail is not as red as a red tail boa. Im very happy with this guy he has to be the most friendly snake ever!

[Aaron_S]

Indeed she is Mark. Well put Jenn.

[SerpentLust]

Mark & Aaron: Thank you boys ;) lol

[michael2008]

Boa is a genus of non-venomous boas found in Mexico, Central and South America, Madagascar and on Reunion Island. Four species are currently recognized. The largest member of this group, B. c. constrictor, has been reported to grow to a maximum size of 18 feet (5.5 m) in length, although some believe that particular specimen was misidentified.
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