Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This pretty little thing was just dropped off as a rescue. All they told me was that she was a Red Tail Boa. What do you all think? Tail doesn't look right to me. Regardless I will give her a good home until I find more permanent arrangements.

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0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
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looks like a red tail to me, i have a few. find it a good home and let it grow

Thanks, I will.
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0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

Well to be more exact it looks like a normal BCI or common boa constrictor. The pet trade has dubbed them Red-Tailed boas, as "boa constrictor" seems foreboding to some. I usually reserve "redtail" for the BCC boas. You'll learn all the lingo, you came to a good site. Best of luck getting that little one a good home!

When you do not buy a boa from a reputable source with well documented heritage all you can do is guess. Could be a mix.

However, that said it appears to be mainly of Central American descent. I'd venture to say Nigaraguan based on the collection of characteristics. Subspecies is Boa constrictor imperator or BCI if you prefer the slang.

It is NOT a Red-tail boa. The term "red-tail" is one of the common names for the subspecies Boa constrictor constrictor or BCC.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/
http://www.BoaList.com/

Ditto;
Very heavy on the Central American as well as the ssp ID.

>>When you do not buy a boa from a reputable source with well documented heritage all you can do is guess. Could be a mix.
>>
>>However, that said it appears to be mainly of Central American descent. I'd venture to say Nigaraguan based on the collection of characteristics. Subspecies is Boa constrictor imperator or BCI if you prefer the slang.
>>
>>It is NOT a Red-tail boa. The term "red-tail" is one of the common names for the subspecies Boa constrictor constrictor or BCC.
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>>http://www.GilbertBoas.com/
>>http://www.BoaList.com/
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TnK

I think he said it was a rescue?? Maybe the buyer bought it from a reputable source and then fell ill and the snake was rescued?? Shouldn't jump to conclusions young man!

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signature file edited, contact an admin. 2/13/06

He did indeed say it was a rescue. This statement: "When you do not buy a boa from a reputable source with well documented heritage all you can do is guess." is a blanket statement. It is still applicable even if he didn't buy it, since he didn't receive more information from the source of the boa. Not a fault of him. Just pointing out that since the only information he can acquire is based on visual observations, the credibility is limited.

Most boas, even those from reputable sources, do not have legitimate locality information. BTW, I do not consider Colombian, or Nicaraguan, or any other country label as locality. Locales are specific populations independent of political borders. Example, Tarahumara Mt. boas are a locality of Sonoran, Mexican boas. The latter two would not denote a locale, just identifying factors. Just my view on the terminology.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/
http://www.BoaList.com/

Chris G nailed it. Looks like a C.A. It's not a Redtail. Every Boa is called a redtail at certain pet shops and rescue centers.
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I'm just the snake room janitor

This is why it is by far safer to use the latin species name.

Just like everyone else, this is a Boa Constrictor Imperator (latin scientific name). It's unclear what locality it might be.

Boa Constrictor Imperator (BCI, "common" boa) specimens tend not to have bright red tails... they tend to be more orangey or brownish, though some can have reddish tones.

Boa Constrictor Constrictor (BCC, "redtail" boa) specimens usually have blood red or deep brownish red tails.

BCI and BCC can breed together, so there are mutts out there as well that might be hard to categorize.

BUT - just goes to show that common pet names can vary from place to place, and when in doubt, ask for the SPECIES name.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com | CageMakers
1.1 Ball Python, 1.0 Hog Island Boa, 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 1.1 Saharan Sand Boa