These are photos of green anaconda spurs, but they have the same shape and structure as boa constrictor spurs. As can be seen in the upper photo, the female spur is recessed into the body within a pit, with at best only the very tip visible without pulling back the surrounding scales to expose the entire spur. The female spur, when exposed, is in the shape of a fairly straight conical spike.

The male spur as seen in the bottom photo, is totally exposed to the base without pulling back any scales, and is in the shape of a flat curved claw compressed against the body. However, in boa constrictors, the spur has a darker coloration than is seen with this anaconda spur.

With practice, even very young boa constrictors can be quickly spur sexed with 100% accuracy.

Kelly

[ Hide Replies ]

• Male spurs vs Female Spurs - vmartino, Thu Oct 19 22:04:56 2006
• RE: Male spurs vs Female Spurs - Kelly_Haller, Thu Oct 19 23:34:51 2006
• you can just feel them up . . . - slithering_serpents, Fri Oct 20 00:21:55 2006
• RE: Male spurs vs Female Spurs - vmartino, Fri Oct 20 10:22:00 2006