I have to say I both agree and disagree with the previous statements made. Out of all the people that have posted, how many have been to Columbia, Argentina or Suriname? Was anybody here born with the knowledge of these animals? Most information used today is information that has been given to us by professional researchers. I don't think it was a biker that came up with the terms BCC or BCI that everybody uses. I don't think it was a biker or rock star that was the first to have a successful breeding in captivity. Everything everyone knows about keeping and breeding boas was originally started by a "professional". Now, I'm not saying they perfected it, everybody has had a hand in making it better, but they sparked the flame. Now most of us including myself have studied boas extensively, but does that make us experts? No way! Let me explain, if somehow someone came across a purple, green and gold boa, chances are (a person like myself) people would not know where to start (maybe here). Now say, Dave and Tracy Barker come across the same animal, the have the knowledge to study the animal (I'm sure they also have many more resources than the rock star), make a hypothesis on locality and genes and most likely be correct. Can you make a hypothesis, sure you can but it will most likely be based on the type of animal you own. You may know everything about a Columbian Boa but chances are you know very little about other 1,000's of fauna and flora in Columbia. Now, I’m not completely on the other side of the argument, I keep boas because…. I think they are beautiful animals and just love them. But I think everyone should keep this in mind. Without the professional scientists, the biologists, herpetologists, etc… and without the growing number of people that have grown to love reptiles and have made efforts towards self education (bikers and rock stars), we would not be anywhere near where we are now. Don’t bash the other, chances are you practice or use something the came up with or innovated.

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