This is one of those very frustrating questions.. basically the inquirer is saying " I can't tell the difference between these boas by how they look" Well, the difference is in how they look!
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My standard answers go something like this:
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Look more closely!
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Lucky you! you can get a common boa and enjoy it as a high-dollar Peru redtail!
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Then to you, there is no difference! (that one has apparently made me at least one enemy)
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I will allow that if you haven't looked at a lot of Boas some of the differences that are obvious to more experienced observers may be subtle to you.. But I don't think I can give a short-course on how to positively ID boas.. Here's a few tips.
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Between Boas of Suriname and those of Peru I can give these hints. The dorsal saddles on Suriname boas and those on Peru Boas are different (and fall within a slightly different count range). Not all Suriname boas have strongly peaked saddles but even those do not have the same-shaped saddles as a Peru redtail. Those few Peru snakes that might show some peaking again do not have the same peaks (in the same places) as even a slightly peaked Suriname boa. The ventral patterning is different between the two as are the side badges. The two groups display a different range of color and tone that barely overlaps. Head markings on the two can be similar but again with the way their base coloring differs this can also be a clue.
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Anytime you make a list of things to look for (or not to look for) some smart-alec will point to one example he thinks disproves what your checking for. That's why you have to look closely at lots of animals and learn to look for the right overall combination of traits, not just one thing. Ultimately of course only knowing where an animal came from defines its' locality.. but very many people do use their experience and observation to ID many boas by looks, and they do it fairly accurately.
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And I haven't even mentioned behavior or developmental differences!
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-----
Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

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