Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what are the difinitive differences between amazon basin and guyana shield emeralds, specifically in young, but after color change. i have an opportunity to nab some supposed basins but i want to be sure that they are in fact basins. thanx in advance.

joe

Well, aside from price , check the scales on the head. Northerns / Shields typically have large plate-like scales on the "muzzle", whereas Basin's scales are small and uniform. The biggest concern with both of course, is CBB -vs- WC...the cheaper animals are likely WC which with ETBs poses a significant risk to their survival in captivity.

Throw up a pic or two and maybe we can help you out!
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Matt Lerer
'Ghi Reptiles'
ghireptiles.com

Here is a pic of a basin at the end of the color change.

Here is a northern just after the color change.

Craig

thanx all for the quick reply. i see what is meant by the head scalation difference. nice snakes craig. thanx again.

I has Stan Chiras at my place and was showing him basins that had head scalations like northerns 'should' have and a northern that had the scalation that a basin is known for having. It was reversed on 3 snakes and was cool to see for sure...

Could you post a picture of the animal that you were interested in buying?
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Matt Lerer
'Ghi Reptiles'
ghireptiles.com

I have a few Surinames that have even smaller nose scales than those of my Basins! You just really have to look at the whole package.

that guy is gonna have to do alot of searching to find another northern that looks like her. and BTW, when is she gonna have some babies??????

LOL, I never said she was typical. She has another couple years as we got her from Al Montajo in Jan. '02. That was the only pic I had showing the head scales right after ontogenesis. That is Alana and she isn't very typical, especially her head.

He would also have to look long and hard to find something that looks like Rica.

She has about 4 more years to go.

Craig

I knew that was Alana and even remembered her name which tells you how much I like that gal. Rica is gorgeous and certainly resembles mom for sure. But Alana is so unique that she sticks in my mind and am looking very foward to seeing her progeny.

I totally agree...high-white and handsome! From Gems of the Rainforest stock?

No she was a purchase in Jan. '02.
Craig

Well, she's a looker, Craig and in your stable now. Strong addition to the Gems collection.
Bill