Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wondered what the easyest way of telling the differences between BCC and BCI.

Hypothetically speaking if i went in a pet store tomorrow and to buy my new baby Boa how would i tell exacaly what i am getting...what should i look for to determine the the subspecies.

I used BCC and BCI because they are the most comman but please include other subspecies in you explanation if you feel its appropriate.

Many thanks guys, Lorie.

The correct way, if you wanted to be sure is to count scales. Although in a pet shop setting this is not so easy. As it is most often done with a shed. Judging by color or patteren is not a very good way to tell, although some people think they know, this is not the way it is done on a scientific level. You may be able to study enough photos of known subspieces to tell. Yet you must also remember that as a boa matures it's looks will change too.

Thanks Paul,
So which scales do i count and how many to tell the difference between the two?

Thanks Again, Lorie.

Paul is 100% correct however I would guess if you were to scale count alot of what we consider BCI may scale count as BCC. Your best bet to tell the difference is to look at alot of pics check out sites like Riobravoreptiles and cuttingedgeherp they have lots of pics and descriptions, once you get the hang of it it becomes pretty easy.
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Thanks Vinnie Caruso
opinons are like a--holes... everybody has one and they all stink

This list is taken from Jerry Walls book The Living Boas.
Dorsal scales counted around the body at mid point and ventral scales, the large belly scales.
SSub dorsal saddles dorsal scales ventral scales
BCI 22-30 55-79 235-259
BCL 19-21 60-76 223-247
BCM 20-21 86-94 237-252
BCO 22-28 60-80 246-252
BCC 15-21 81-95 234-243
BCA 22-28 71-79 226-237
BCOc 22-30 65-87 242-251
You have to take into acount that an animal may be a cross of 2 subspieces and would make this throw every thing off.