Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just caught this tiny snake, it's greyish brown on top and silvery grey on the bottom with a black stripe on the side. I was told that it was called a californian boa, is this true?

I am no expert still learning, but I think they might mean either a rosy, or sand boa, that is a cali locale, but thats all i can think of
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A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

Actually I caught 2 snakes, one is 6in., the other is 9in., but both are the same. Are rosy boas this small? And what web sight could I go to, to see what they look like? Thanks for all your help, yvonbug

Check the site I put below, I dunno where to look for pics other wise, and rosy/sand boas are definately smaller snakes, unless you have a picture to show, I can't help much further, and I doubt anyone else will be able to either
Link

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A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

Go to the rosy and sand boa forum.
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Cameron

I don't plan on keeping it, I'll let it loose back in the backyard. Here is 2 pics of it, maybe you can help ID it with them.

Certainly not a boa. Maybe a sharp-tailed snake? I dunno Cal snakes well
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

These look to be Sharp-Tailed Snakes, Contia tenuis. The one looks like it might have a shed problem. You may want to keep it moist for a day or two. I believe aliceinwl has experience with these if you want more information. She frequents the Alligator Lizard forum.
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Randy Hallman

Yup, you r right. I finally found it in the big snake encyclopedia. Thanks for all the interest and info etc. Now I'll let it go back where I found it, in my backyard. Thanks again! yvonbug

You may want to check with local DNR for California. That snake is protected from collection in the wild in that state. Healthy fine if you’re caught taking them.

Just to be safe.

Are we talking about Rosy Boas? I believe it is still legal to collect them for non commercial purposes as long as a valid F&G license is possessed. The possession limit is two. The Southern Rubber Boa (still recognized by California as a subspecies) is protected from collection.

If there is more current legislation available I would like to know. I try to stay up on top of the laws in the western states. Sometimes it takes a long time for web sites to get updated.
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Randy Hallman

I lived in Monterey, California from 80-82 and caught a few of those sharp-tailed snakes. My first thought then was Rosy Boa too because of the color and shape of the head. They were fairly abundant there like Northern Brown snakes in the Northeast US. I had one that got eaten by a huge Ring-neck I caught out that way too.