Central American Boa

[ksu_panda]

Hey Everyone, I'm not a breeder or anything of boas, I just wanted to throw that out there so you all know that I pretty much don't know a huge amount about snakes (just what I learn from my boyfriend).

Anyways, last September my boyfriend and I went to a reptile show and he bought me a 3 month old Central American that's absolutely beautiful in color and pattern. However, within the past 4-5 months, it has started turning a dark, almost black, color during the day, and then goes back to it's "normal" color at night. I was just curious if anyone knew why this might be happening.

Thanks for any help.

~Amanda~

[Jungle Jen]

I have central americans, and I have nticed they do have quite the ability to change their colors from day to night. Maybe someone like Big Dan, who breeds CA Boas might be able to shed a bit more light on the subject for you.

[Linds]

All Boa constrictor ssp. (as well as some other boa species) have the ability to change from very light to very dark, depending on many different factors. Some causes of it are time of day, temperature, mood, sickness, and breeding activity.

edit:

Here's a pic of two of my Bcc, dark phase from breeding activity...
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22big_belly1.jpg">

Here's the female in her light phase...
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22satabriab01-med.jpg">

Male in his light phase...
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/22poopypants12_12_03-2-med.jpg">

[ksu_panda]

Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate the input! Overall, I was just worried about any sicknesses, but I think I can rule that out based on the other possibilities (such as mood, time of day, etc.) for being a cause to the darkness. She eats well and otherwise acts normally.

Maybe I'll post some pictures on here sometime soon if I get a chance.

Thanks again.

~Amanda~

P.S. Linds, the tale on you male is awesome! I love the bright color!

[Linds]

Oops, duplicated the pic, I fixed it so it shows my female in light phase now Thanks for the kind words! I agree, if it is a consisten pattern it likely isn't anything to worry about. Typically snakes are dark phase during the day and light phase at night (with the exceptions of a few misfits, and those that are under the influence of different factors). That's what people are talking about when they say their night colours look best