Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a couple of questions, and they may sound stupid to most. We have a very young red tail, though I don't know what kind. I have an eariler post, Newbie needs advise, where I stated my hubby and I know nothing about boas other than basics. Someone answered and said Central American, which I'm still trying to figure out if that means he's not a red tail, but a common boa? Please look at the pics and and advise would be appreciated. So, on to my questions...

I read that counting the saddles can tell you if it's a red tail or not. I know it says dorsels, but do I count to the tip of his tail? The red seems to run into each other at his/her tail.

Second, about a quarter way up from his vent has a pinkish tint. It doesn't seem to be an injury of any kind. Is that normal?

He has a vet apointment next week since we have no history on this guy. I've posted a pic with a semi-better shot of his tail.

Central American is what I think it is. They are a Red Tail Boa
but is a 'Dwarf' Red Tail. They stay smaller in size as to the
True Red Tails such as BCC Boas. Those are the big ones. I hope
this helped and sorry I was not more specific earlier
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Kenny Bowman

"Symetry Exotics"
Honesty is the only route to TRUE respect, anything else is unacceptable....

You just count the saddles, not where it starts the tail pattern. It would be a BCI (boa constrictor imperator) so generally speaking, just a common boa. Usually people are referring to BCC (boa constrictor constrictor) when talking about "True" red-tails, though with most people if you say you have a "red tail" they'll know what you mean. You'll only run into questions usually if you're talking with other "boa people" wanting to know what "kind" of red-tail.

First of all the name " Redtail Boa" is over used and mostly wrongly used.

There are True Redtail Boas these are Bcc (Boa constrictor constrictor)
For instance Boas from Surinam, Guyana, Perru, N.Brazil.
Those are all True redailed Boas.

People call Colombian type Boas "Redtail Boas" meaning "Common Boa"

Your Boa does appear to look more like a Central American specimen.

So no you don't have a "Red Tail Boa" although the tail could be a orange/reddish color

You have most likely C.A. type Boa which falls in the Boa Constrictor Imperator category

The C.A. type Boas tend to stay smaller than the many
South American sub species

. . . Lar M

Quick link with nice info below
Boa constrictor

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Boas By Klevitz
Boas By Klevitz

Too many people use the term "Redtail" for any Boa. Ca's and Colombians are really considered commons, no matter how red the tail is.
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Snake room janitor

I appreciate all the help. I don't know how you guys can keep up with all of this! My head feels like it could explode!! So when you're saying Central American, you mean like a Corn Island Boa? I wouldn't be so annoying about this, but I'm trying figure out what kind of size I can expect. A dwarf would be excellent, I would be alright with keeping it then, but a 12 foot snake is not something I'm ready for, lol. Also, the pinkish tint on the belly, is that normal or is it a possible problem? We bought a Barron's Red-tail boas and relatives book, but of course it's telling me very little, but it's all our local pet store had. Don't feel bad about answering in 'dumby terms' since it's all I'm able to comprehend at this time, lol. Thanks again!

Corn Islnads are dwarf, but more of the exotic ones. Most of my
CA Boas have pink on the bellies. Nothing to worry about unless
it is scar tissue on one spot. God Bless
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Kenny Bowman

"Symetry Exotics"
Honesty is the only route to TRUE respect, anything else is unacceptable....

I suggest you go to this site and purchase Vin's book.
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/

You can get a signed copy for cheaper than through say Amazon or other sites. It is the bible on boas if you ask me! Lots of great info and it should be the first investment you make in the life of this animal.

Also go here for good locality info.

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/

For a comprehensive and free guide visit this site, you can download all 47 pages via Clay's site.
http://www.redtailboas.com/care/

Get it and start with this. I would still get the book above.

The guide will answer many anatomy questions, such as what is dorsal, ventral, subcaudal, vent/cloaca, etc...

CA- or central american boas are usually small, you won't get a 12 foot animal. Your looking at probably 4.5-7.5 feet with 5-6 being average. Have your vet prob the animal or pop it if its young enough and hasn't gained control over its hemipenis. If your vet cannot do this simple task, then get a new vet. He/she may be a great mammal vet, but when you sign on to own a reptile you must have an emergency reptile specialist and develop a relationship with them. If you can determine sex this will help with caging size as well. For now your good in a small cage, but they grow a lot in the first year or so. After 1 year its not unheard of to put the animal in a 4x2 cage for most of its adult life.

When counting saddles its usually from snout to vent. There is overlap on saddle counts between the two subspecies Constrictor (true) and Imperator (common). The term Red Tail Boa is used loosely because in pet stores who would buy a common boa?

If you want a positive ID, visit the sites I have mentioned. Then post a much better picture than you have already and you should get an answer.

If you have any other questions. I am happy to help, email me at ouroborosreptiles@comcast.net

Thank you. We have an excellent herp vet that we use for our ball pythons that this snake will be seeing this Friday. I have some better pictures posted under Newbie needs advise further down the board. We didn't want to stress the little guy more than it already is, so I was trying to be quick with my photos.

Central American or 'CA' as you will sometimes see it abbreviated, covers boas from many different parts of Central America...it's often used for CA dwarf boas when a more specific location isn't known (i.e. Nicaraguan, Corn Island, Honduran, etc.)

I wouldn't worry too much about a 12 foot boa, that would be an extreme size (though it has happened), and pretty rare. I have two female boas, one a true redtail(Suriname), the other a Colombian(common)mix both around 10 years old...they are under 9'...the Suriname is actually smaller, around 7'. These girls are fully grown, and won't get any bigger. I would say most adult Colombian or BCC females will fall in the 6' to 8' range.

Size also depends on gender, if your little guy happens to be male, he will be much smaller as an adult than a female...

Some boas have pink/red bellies...unless it's accompanied by signs of infection/distress(scale rot), it's probably normal color...
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Heather Martin
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Took a look at the better pics, nice boa and I think you should definitely keep it. Here is some advice on saddle counts, again if you have questions ask away. A saddle count is done from snout to vent.

> than 21 is usually BCI.
> than 24-25 your looking at a central american over columbian
< than 21 is usually BCC

While this is a good starting point its not definitive. BCI with as low as 17-19 are not heard of.

Do the saddles have peaks? Missing these is less common than say a BCI with a low saddle count. Peaks and low count are almost definitely BCC.

Also, coloration has some affect on determining columbians from CA. Do a saddle count and I think it will point to CA BCI.

What do you mean by peaks? Ball pythons are so much easier to identify, lol! But then again, I've only been reading about boas since Thursday and you guys have already taught me alot. Never again will I think a boa is just a boa. Thanks everyone for all the great information.

They look like widows peaks. Search True Red Tails or Suriname Boas and you will see what peaked saddles look like.