Quote:
Originally Posted by eminart
Ah crap. I hate when people spread false information, and this time it was me. Thanks for setting me straight. I actually don't know much about the boas of madagascar, and I really didn't know this species existed (or that it was separate from Dumerils anyway). They do look pretty similar. I took a glance, assumed it was Dumeril's, and opened my big mouth.
Anyway, great looking snake. Congrats.
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No sweat man! It is a VERY common mistake. Not many MGBs in private collections, and the differences are subtle, especially in photos. The differences:
The MGB has more of a cryptic pattern. On the dorsal portion, the pattern is much more defined on the DGB. There are definite light/dark boundaries, and that is not the case on the MGB. The head is also different. The MGB usually has copper colored patternless, indistinctly, or lightly patterned head, where the DMB head pattern is usually very well defined. Finally the MGB will generally carry many more pink/orange tones, especially in the first third of the body length. I suspect that some of the "pink" phase dumeril's out there are a result of hybridization. There are other biological and physical differences of course. But for those unfamiliar, those are the easiest things to look for
On the physiological side, the MGB is a bigger heavier bodied snake. It is more prevalent on the northern portion of the island(s) and favors slightly warmer and significantly more humid conditions.
Since data is so lacking on these, and I have had to grope blindly; it is my eventual intent to make a good solid care sheet is available for anyone else who wants to keep the species.
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