Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got this snake from a guy who was going to "turn it loose". My other snakes are all colubrids. I think we are going to enjoy him though.

I would love to hear why type of boa he is as I know nothing of them. I have found several types of red tails but not sure how to tell them apart.

The pictures make his body color look much darker than it is, the base color of his body is more of a light tan.

Thanks!
Nina

A very nice looking example of one,at that! at that size,sex determination can be done with a good degree of acuracy by visual examination of the "spurs" you mentioned above. best of luck with him(?)

Thanks!

Are the different "types" of red tails actually subspecies, varieties or what? Also, is there a site that gives the different types as well as a description as to what makes each type unique?
Can you explain what characteristic of mine let's you know it is a columbian?

Thanks for all your help!
Nina

Actually the taxonomy of the boa constrictor group is in much need of further attention,(MHO)There currently exists,a series of recognized subspecies,however,the criteria for their identification is loosely defined at best,and,subject to interpretation,and,antiquated,or,incomplete meristics data,therefore it is only close to accurate from a field collection perspective,in other words if you had the published information,and,found yourself collecting specimens from the known areas of their accepted ranges...identification could be made fairly easily,in most cases.(theoreticlly!)without exact locality data,it becomes much more of a visual comparison based on an overall look...it would be nice if we could simply count their dorsal markings,or,scale rows,alone,and,know beyond all doubt,that "this is a blah-blah-blah". what we tend to do instead is make an educated guess,based on visual assessment of the overall "look"...which is what I did with the animal you posted above.(it's just my educated guess,based on years of looking at different boas,from various localities. )

Greg

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