Posted by:
Hoppy
at Sun May 29 11:40:56 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Hoppy ]
The following reply to your question was taken directly off of my web site (link at the bottom) there you can find more complex answers to common questions.
In the Nov., 1996 issue of reptiles magazine Dick Bartlett authored an excellent article called “Red tail Boa, What’s In A Name”. That article was one of his best and most informative Articles written about Boa Constrictors. {It was also in the best issue of Reptiles magazine ever (it was their Boa special), I also happen to respect and enjoy Mr. Bartlett’s extensive body of work .} There was a particular line in that article that has always stood out in my mind. Question, “ What’s the difference between a Red tailed Boa and a regular Boa?” Answer, “ About a $150.00!”
Now Mr. Bartlett line may have been a bit off the cuff but it did have profound meaning. Calling your Boa a red tail or a golden or a pastel or a super striped… well you get the idea, but a more descriptive name has always called for a higher price in the boa market. In today’s boa market we have, by popular use of herp lingo, determined that now there are red tailed boas and True Red tailed Boas. We have even gone further to decided that a regular red tailed boa is going to be some locality of Boa C. Imp. And the true red tailed boas are going to be Boa C. Constrictor.
The BCI group is huge and consist of Colombian Boas, Central American Boas ( of all localities), The Island forms of Boa c. such as Hogg’s Island and Crawl Cay, what was once referred to as the Mexican Boa (once know as Boa C. Mexicana). Also included in the BCI complex are most, if not all, the Boa genetic mutations. These commonly referred to as Morphs include, Albinos, Striped, Snows, Ghost, Sunglow, Hypo (both orange tail & Salmon) and the Anerys both type 1&2, Motley’s, Arabquse, Pastel…. Well again I hope you are getting the Idea.
In the true red tailed Boa group we have what is more commonly known as the purebloods or locality specific boas such as the Peruvians, Surinames, Guyana… these too can go on for an eternity.
What it comes down to how ever is that there is a BIG difference between BCC and BCI Boas. I hear beginner often ask, “what boa should I get a Colombian or a Suriname?” Well, I am here to tell you the difference so you can make an informed decision. Get a Colombian, end of story…………
Oh you wanted more? Well ok. As I go on here please keep in mind that I am a BCI/Morpher when it comes to Boas. I like the designer herps, so my view my be slanted a bit. BCI Boas are a snake that is designed with the beginner in mind. They are the Corn Snakes of the Boa world. The are more robust and forgiving for a novice keeper. They are also a bit more docile when it come to temperament. The BCI can be both a locality Boa (Mexican Boa, Hogg’s Island Boa) or it can be a Morph with the genetic makeup that would make your biology teacher proud if you could explain. BCI boas also tend to stay a bit smaller in size the BCC Boas. The Colombian, being the giant of the BCI can grow to an impressive 14’ long ( yes I have seen one! Chris Macquade with Gulf Coast Reptiles has a female that size) but more than likely the females won’t grow much more than 8’ and the males not much more than 6’.
Now on the other side of the table is the Naturally stunning BCC Boas. These guys don’t need Morphs, because there natural color is as close to perfection as one can get! However, these are not your beginner’s boa. They are much more habitat specific in their needs. Temps and humidity levels need to be closely watched to assure prolonged good health. These boas also tend to be a bit more aggressive than the closely related cousins. A bite from a 12’ long Suriname is going to require a few stitches to close back up and the larger size means that two people are going to be needed in the same room for even the most basic of chores.
Now breeding the BCC is a completely different thing. Many herpers, with dollar signs in their eyes, go after the more expensive BCC boas for breeding projects, thinking that in just a few years they will open up their own shop with the proceeds. To their dismay five years later they still have not produced the first baby boa and are working two jobs just to pay for all the snakes they have collected for their “future” shop (which is still way in the future).
So when you ask me “BCC or BCI which snake is for me?” Ask yourself, do I really know enough about the husbandry of a BCC or might I benefit from the learning experience that a BCI will Provide? When you know the answer to that question, then you will not need my advice.
Thanks for reading
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com
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My Standdard reply to BCI vs BCC Boas........more, long.... - Hoppy, Sun May 29 11:40:56 2005
