First let me make the disclaimer that although I do possess some minimal knowledge on Boa constrictor ssp. I certainly do not consider myself an expert.

After careful gathering of information on the boas occuring naturally around Leticia, I can confidently say that the boas that came in a few years back listed "Leticia boas" most definately are NOT indicative of wild animals from Leticia. Everyone I've seen listed as "Leticia" do appear to be B.c.i. This of course doesn't mean that they didn't come from Leticia. There could well be a breeder down there working with Colombian B.c.i. I know of people breeding boas in Florida but we don't call them Florida boas (though there is a viable population living in the wilds of Florida).

Leticia is smack on the Amazon. I have spoken with several people who have collected boas near Leticia & all agree that they look just like Iquitos Peruvians. This only makes sense as Iquitos is only 250 miles or so up the Amazon. Whereas B.c.i. range is over 1000 miles from Leticia. There are no natural integrades anywhere close to Leticia. A small mountain range known as the Andes seperates the two subspecies. The only area where they truly integrade is the very northern part of Venezuela. Roughly 1500 miles from Leticia.

Therefore, all Leticia boas I've seen for sale may come from a breeder in Leticia, but they certainly do not represent wild Leticia stock. Maybe someday the narcotrafficers will mellow out & it will once again be safe for Americans to travel there. If that happens I may have to go back down there & check it out as last time I was still 100 miles upriver from Leticia.

Hope this helps & doesn't through anyone into too much of a frenzy.

Lee

[ Hide Replies ]

• Leticia Boas????? - venomousdave, Tue Jan 24 11:57:30 2006
• RE: Leticia Boas????? - bcijoe, Tue Jan 24 12:48:02 2006
• I'll take a stab it this on as I seem to be on one of those moods... - LeeBarrie, Tue Jan 24 17:15:47 2006
• my two cents - kasper22, Tue Jan 24 22:44:43 2006