Reptile & Amphibian Forums

that the boa you had had Hogg Island or 'something' else blood?

I ask because, as you would think, I have a boa of unknown origin. I took her as a small yearling from a guy going into the military. He had had her a year and got her as a near hatchling, pet store. Nice salmon/pink baby. As a yearling she was not a ton bigger and she was just as salmon. Now, as a nearly five year old she is about 5-6 ft, big enough to take a medium rat nicely. She does not go the dirty dark preshed colors of my other boa but is not as light as the hypo baby I have. Her pinks are more salmon. She also seems lighter at some times of day or more tan others.

Her size and colors make me suspicious. And if and when I breed her I want to represent babies as accurately as possible.

Are there markings that I might otherwise look for? Any points to note? I know, I need to post picts....working on taking some.
TIA
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

Sonya, I really respect your desire to accurately represent any boas you produce. Unfortunately, since you do not have any background info, the best representation you can give is that any offspring would be "pet boas". To toss out anything else (in terms of a country, or island, of origin), even with the best intentions, would be an assumption and subject to all of the inaccuracies that can accompany it. Afterall, the whole purpose of attaching a "country of origin" label is to give the buyer confidence that they know EXACTLY what they have. And with those boas, there's no way to know at all.

There's nothing wrong with "pet boas", and there is a market for them

Your boa sounds very beautiful, congrats!

jb
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What's written above is purely my opinion. In fact, MOST of what you read on the internet is someone's opinion. Don't take it too seriously

Jonathan Brady
DeviantConstrictors.com
Deviant Constrictors picturetrail

I would suspect the "something else" - especially since you don't know the exact origin. smaller size, lighter color.. those characteristics would make me suspect that your boa has something else in it. what it is... hog island?? it's almost impossible to know for sure.

I indicated it is "almost" impossible to know for sure.
i think it is more correct to say that it is absolutely impossible to know for sure. There are no specific markings or any other tell tale signs that would indicate what the origin of your boa was - unless you found the person who bred it and they had reliable information about the parents... both parents.

late 09 male from Harleqin dam (Gray Rushin) and Jungle sire (Bill Kirby).

Thanks guys. I would certainly only be selling any offspring as pets. Pyxie is my pet and will remain with me as she is the first boa I have liked and the one that made me even give them a second look. Now I am DOWN to four boa amongst the rest of my thirty some snakes. I am trying to be a bit picky.

I was wondering as I look at many of your beautiful boa and I do NOT follow the genetics of them nor would I be able to tell you more than I like it or I don't like it. I am a simple person that way. I look at boa and see boa, less so the elaborate names of types.
Just wondering if there were markings or secret code phrases that would give me a clue. I have had two people ask me if she had Hogg in her. But I am only able to track her to a wholesaler who put any babys in a group and so could not pinpoint origins.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

there is a lot of great information on the web.. Boas come from a great range of geographical areas - all through South America, central america and into Mexico are the main areas. The boas from each area are somewhat specific in appearance - just because you mentioned Hogs - I thought I would mention that Hog island boas are the natural occurring boas from a small isolated island. Hog island boas look different than boas from Colombia. In addition to this, boas also display some genetic variations referred to in the boa community as morphs.. such as motleys and jungles.. or they may have the genetic mutation for albinism (albinos).. these are just a few of the genetic variations or morphs - just to give you an idea.

there are many good websites to find more information but these two were the first to come to my mind for the sake of your questions..

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/
http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/

Kingsnake also has this link..
http://www.kingsnake.com/boamorphs/

have fun!