That the phenotype of the matriarch female (IE. Big Saddles and Big/Many Tail Splotches) is defenitely genetic (polygenic) and what makes monstertails so great. In fact, one of the monstertail hypos I have seen is probably my all time favorite boa because of its huge red tail saddles and tail splotches.

I agree that monstertail is a bloodline and that anything trace backed to that lineage is deemed monstertail. There are no phenotypic parameters that define what is and isnt a monstertail, its just a bloodline. But what makes this bloodline special is that it throws boas with big contrasty saddles and big/many tail splotches. Will every boa from this bloodline throw such boas? Not necessarily.

Here are some examples of monstertail hypos, pictures I took at the NARBC show in Chicago. They do some justice to these boas but you really have to see them in person to fully appreciate them. These are direct descendants of the matriarch female that Davey refered to.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Boaphile Monstertail? - elgrano, Thu Nov 3 06:58:29 2005
• RE: Boaphile Monstertail? - bcijoe, Thu Nov 3 09:45:00 2005
• PLEASE DEFINE... - matthewpope, Thu Nov 3 18:22:25 2005
• RE: Boaphile Monstertail? - DaveyFig, Thu Nov 3 18:24:00 2005
• I agree but will add: - topnotchboas, Thu Nov 3 18:47:41 2005
• I agree, but prefer to subtract.lol - DaveyFig, Thu Nov 3 18:54:52 2005