My B. c. amarali changes color

Fee · 01-16-18, 10:33 AM

No, I'm not imagining it. I thought I was, at first, but I've had Tephra for over a month now and I've become quite certain that he gets darker and lighter, apparently corresponding with temperature. Even my husband noticed, and I hadn't even mentioned it to him. Tephra - so named because he looks like volcanic ash and Bolivia happens to be highly volcanic - is always a beautiful silver amarali color. But when he's colder, his silver turns very pale, almost white, especially around his face. His markings become incredibly striking as the contrast appears to increase. Then when he basks in his warm spot, after a while his face and body become darker to where they almost look dirty - the darkening is sort of speckly, like a pencil coloring lightly on paper.

I don't think I'll bother with pictures because the changes are subtle and could easily be blamed on the photography or the lighting in the cage (rest assured, I've observed these changes up close and while handling, not just in the cage). I just wanted to see if this is a known phenomenon. I know that Hog Island boas change color, but I didn't think it was possible with other species.

Teph is a pure-blood amarali from the Joe Terry line. He exhibits all the classic characteristics of this line all the way down to temperament, temperature preferences and scale counts.

Fee · 01-16-18, 10:37 AM

I have seen a few forums around Google that have told me about boas changing color, but most people seemed to think it was related to a shed cycle, which this doesn't appear to be.

I read The Complete Boa Constrictor by Vincent Russo cover to cover and didn't see anything about B. c. color changes, lol.

DJC Reptiles · 01-16-18, 10:47 AM

I don't think you should be afraid to post photos of what you see. Regardless of how they look, no one is going to go and call you insane (Probably). I am not aware of this phenomenon, but I don't think it's impossible. A cold blooded animal, changing color (from your description, very slightly), depending on the heat is not crazy. Regardless, it could also your eyes playing tricks on you, where their features might show more while they are basking, and then look less intense when they are not. I am not doubting you, it's just not something I have heard of before. Maybe others who know a little bit more about this species can chime in.

**Tsubaki** · 01-16-18, 10:55 AM

Many boas vary in shades depengin on temperature or even mood, hog island are the best example of this since they take to extreme levels (from nearly white to brown orange) but most boas do it to some degree. I found some pictures of the same boa in various shades to show you, this is a T+ who was a different colour every day,

Normal phase, she was like this most often.

Dark phase, Often during the evenings. She got even darker but cant find good picture.

Light phase, often at night or during really hot days.

Fee · 01-16-18, 11:00 AM

Went ahead and added some pictures. Top photo is his darker self in his basking spot. Bottom is a lighter color. I haven't gotten a picture of him yet where he looks *really* white, though. Hopefully I'll be able to do that next time I see him that way.

Fee · 01-16-18, 11:03 AM

It's mostly noticeable around his snout, and you're right, its very subtle.

I knew about the Hog Island boas, they are really cool!

Thanks for the input, guys!

Fee · 01-16-18, 07:07 PM

Got a picture of him looking extra-white.

Fee · 01-16-18, 07:20 PM

The first image (darker Teph) and the most recent image in my last post were both taken with the same camera in the same basking spot under the same light. I thought it was related to color but now it appears it might not be! Could it really be his mood??

Fee · 01-16-18, 07:47 PM

I just took another picture, still in his whiter phase. From a different angle.

DJC Reptiles · 01-16-18, 09:41 PM

Really cool, seems there's definitely a change, happy to see your finding neat things about your new snake!

TeamSlitherin · 01-17-18, 03:45 AM

Man, that is one beautiful boa!!

My Tanimbar scrub python also seems to change color with temperature. He's much lighter when he's been basking in his branches than when he's snoozing in a hide.

Snakegirl2017 · 01-17-18, 07:11 AM

He is beautiful!! I just got my first BP, so I am LOVING looking at everyone's pictures of their snakes and seeing what I might want down the line.

bigsnakegirl785 · 01-17-18, 07:54 AM

Yup, pretty much all boas do this. They darken after eating, during shed, and throughout the day. My big jungle girl doesn't have a noticeable dark/light phase from what I can tell, but all my other snakes do, even the sunglow (she gets more red).

My anery motley male has the most extreme changes.

Dark phase

https://imgur.com/WNfaALH

Light phase

https://imgur.com/dFoDQNE

My normal male used to have a lot more differences between dark/light phase, but that's gotten less extreme as he's aged. This is him as a baby.

Light phase

https://imgur.com/xFhDt3r

Dark phase

https://imgur.com/LKtcg8M

(For whatever reason the Imgur links are not showing up as photos, so I have to link to the photos' pages.)

Fee · 01-17-18, 06:17 PM

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's experienced this! What an interesting subject. Since I study evolutionary biology I was hoping I'd learn a lot by owning him, and it is definitely happening. He's taught me so much already and I expect he will do so throughout his life!

Also thank you guys so much for the compliments! Probably just biased, but I think he's the most beautiful snake I've ever seen