Boa constrictor (constrictor or imperator)

hugofeio · 11-09-12, 11:27 AM

Hello !
Can you guys identify this boa for me ?
I was told it is a Boa constrictor constrictor, but that it is 3 years old and not growing anymore. Is it really a boa constrictor ? Can it be underfed ? Or is it another kind of Boa ? Does it look relatively healthy ? The conditions the snake is being kept are poor, but the snake is not mine. I'm trying to keep it, but I need to know what type of boa it is, and if it is healthy, before I keep it to myself.

This is really important, guys.
Thanks !!!

Metalserpent · 11-10-12, 01:08 PM

Look up Vincent Russo. Buy his book and read it. "The complete boa constrictor". All you need to know are in the pages.

KORBIN5895 · 11-10-12, 01:31 PM

I can't answer the lineage question but that is one stunning boa! Overall it looks quite healthy.

moshirimon · 11-10-12, 02:09 PM

decent health. look Bci to me though. nice colours could be hypo hard to tell from pic. definitely not bcc and looks like some stuck shed on it's face. i'd say go for it if your getting a good deal

moshirimon · 11-10-12, 02:10 PM

what's your experience with snakes? are you sure youre ready to buy a boa constrictor if you don't even know what they look like?

SnakeyJay · 11-10-12, 02:23 PM

Personally I'd say bci mate.

jaleely · 11-10-12, 02:39 PM

i disagree, i think it looks unhealthy and skinny. Obviously stuck shed on the head. I think it could be fixed with the right person giving it humidity, feeding it, and maybe getting it re-hydrated.

just curious, why does it matter what subspecies it is? obviously the person taking care of it isn't taking care of it, if you can do better you should just to be a good person.

Terranaut · 11-10-12, 02:53 PM

3 yrs old and not growing any more. Lol. My male grew a full foot and about 4 more lbs between 3 and 4 yrs old and he is still growing. Not that its a bad thing. He looks to be in similar shape to my male when I got him.
I say get him!!

Rogue628 · 11-10-12, 02:57 PM

It looks BCI to me. It doesn't look like it's 3 years old to me, but then, it could be the curled position it's laying in. It's girth looks fine. I'm not seeing anything that says it's not been fed properly, unless it really is 3 years old and is as small as it looks. I'm curious if that's stuck shed on it's nose or some rubbing?

Of course, this is my own opinion that I'm basing my own BCI experience off of. I could be entirely wrong.

Why do you need to know exactly what it is? Is it a size issue or a husbandry issue?

Ridge Runner_20 · 11-10-12, 03:46 PM

I think the pile of shed underneath and what appears to be a spot stuck on the head are giving the animal a bit rougher appearance than it likely deserves. I'd say girth looks OK; a nice representation of the "loaf of bread" form desirable for boas.

As for ssp., I'd guess BCI (perhaps a bit of CA influence?), and my first inclination was to say possibly hypo as well. But honestly, unless you're planning on breeding, who cares? If you like the animal and wish the best for it, do your research and due diligence, and you'll have a great addition to the family.

Best of luck!

RR_20 (Mike)

KORBIN5895 · 11-10-12, 04:33 PM

I will say again that snake look perfectly healthy. A piece of stuck shed isn't going to kill it. The body mass looks good too.

Trent · 11-10-12, 04:36 PM

bci...central american..as for size centrals stay smaller..aside from the really crappy shed it looks ok.

Its sweater box could be cleaner,but thats just me

Jay · 11-10-12, 07:30 PM

Ball python.

Metalserpent · 11-11-12, 01:31 AM

Wow midbody, belly, and ventral scale counts all from that pic. Not to mention saddle count. You guys are good. Why read from a book written by an expert on boas. Hahahaha.

SnakeyJay · 11-11-12, 03:17 AM

We're giving opinions not a definitive answer... However CA blood does not always mean smaller, Colombia is Central American I believe.