What exactly do you mean when you say that it "doesn't look very much jungle at all"? Are you referring to the fact that it just doesn't have any pattern aberrancies? If so, then that is nothing to worry about. Jungles are not made up of ONLY pattern aberrancies. The Jungle gene is both a pattern AND a color mutation. Even with NO pattern aberrancies, there should be other distinct characterisitics that tell you the animal IS a Jungle.



The coloration of the animal - The coloration of a Jungle Boa should be distinct, especially when compared with a normal boa. Jungles have a yellowish body coloration. As babies, it is not as extreme and can appear slightly ivory or bone colored in appearance. However, as they grow, this coloration tends to intensify and turn more and more yellow.



I've noticed in our Jungles, there is also a distinct difference the in the coloration between the dorsal and sides of the animal. The dorsal is where most of this yellow/ivory/bone coloration is and the sides are very grey in color.



I've also noticed that even if the Jungle has no aberrancies (connected saddles, etc.), the saddles themselves have a very distinct shape. They are generally more "squared off" or "cookie-cutter" shaped looking. They sometimes have circles inside the saddles as well.



Others have mentioned other "Jungle characterisitics" such as a circle pattern on top of the head or pink/red colored eyes. I have noticed these characterisitics on some of my Jungles although not all of them.



The MOST important thing to consider is WHO you are buying your Jungle from. If you are buying it from a respected breeder who cares about not only their reputation but correctly representing their animal, then I wouldn't expect you to have any problems. I would find out what sort of guarantee the breeder offers (if any) and if they stand behind their animals.



I personally would not hesitate to buy a Jungle Boa from people like Gray Rushin/Jeff Gray, Mark Miller, Rick Stanulus, Jeremy Stone, and Pete Kahl just to name a few because I know these breeders will guarantee the genetics on the animal I purchase. I'm not saying that these are the only good breeders to buy from. I know there are many others but just be sure you do all your research before investing in the animal.



So I guess to answer your question, if what you are buying is a guaranteed genetic Jungle Boa from the swedish line, then no matter what it looks like, it SHOULD produce Jungle Boas for you when bred to normal females.



I hope this helps. Good luck!



Thanks,

Celia
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Celia Chien

www.ExoticsByNature.com



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