Peruvian rainbow boas & brazilian

[varanus1]

Whats the difference between these 2 they look exactly the same ?

Peruvian and brazilian

[Rainbowsrus]

Not a lot of real differences. As a matter of fact they were recently re-classified to be the same species. E.C.C. What differences there are....

1) Larger scales and therefore lower mid body scale row count on PRB's it's typically less than 43 rows. On BRB's it's 45plus and typically 46 - 48.

2) PRB's tend to have bolder / darker markings.

[varanus1]

Thanks for replying.

[Snakesitter]

Dave is correct. They also tend to have a reputation for being a bit more on the red side.

However, I would add that reclassifications can go back and forth, and would urge people not to cross-breed the two. At the very least, Peruvians seem to be a unique locality of the larger Brazilian market; at the worst, they really are a separate subspecies. Either way, they reserve to be kept separate, and most of the Peruvian experts I know are trying to keep them that way.

Good question!

[varanus1]

Here is a link to some i found for sale not that im looking for any of these just want to understand and know the difference so it wont be a mistake in future breeding. So what and where are we talking about ?

Baby Peruvian rainbows REDUCED - FaunaClassifieds (http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=354150)

[Rogue628]

I've had a peruvian. Sadly, when we last moved, she somehow escaped her tub, never to be seen again. :( First snake I've lost since I began keeping back in the 90's....but I digress.

It's true they've been reclassified and lumped together, but honestly the only way I can visibly tell the difference between them is when they're side by side. Peruvians have a tendency to be redder and the black pattern is alot bolder. Check this out: iHerp : Member Blog : Peruvian vs. Brazilian Rainbow Boas (http://iherp.com/Public/Blog/Detail.aspx?uid=10497)

I purchased my PRB from Jeff Clark and he's known for having good lines of Peruvian and Brazilian rainbow boas. Because true peruvians can be hard to find, I would not buy any rainbow that was sold as peruvian unless genetics can be shown. As snakesitter suggested, I would keep both bloodlines pure as they can always be reclassified again.

My personal opinion, and I have seen very few peruvians for sale....I'm really skeptical that the ones in that ad are peruvians. The coloration are awfully light compared to my girl and I believe even the reduced price is too high. Jeff sold me mine for way less than that and he's a peruvian rainbow breeder and mine wasn't at a reduced price.

Here's pics of my girl not too long after I got her
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/SVRogue/Animals/IMG_20120408_191459.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/SVRogue/Animals/IMG_20120408_191558.jpg

I'm a fan of both, especially some of the morphs that David has produced. But I like the bolder look of the peruvian when compared to a normal BRB.

Hope this helps. :)

Edit to add: after looking at my girl compared to the ones that are for sale, my girls black is thicker and bolder looking....it's of my opinion that those are pure peruvians, but I could also be wrong.

[Snakesitter]

They look like normal Brazilians to me....but I could be wrong. As always, it's buyer beware. As Rogue cautioned above, make sure they have actual documentation tracing the genetics to a confirmed Peruvian source. A scale count off a shed might help too. Whatever you decide, good luck!

[rmfsnakes32]

It is really hard to tell the difference between the two at a glance