Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, another first here at VaRR... we took in today a boa that to me appears to be a "common" boa... BUT, the owner says that it was purchased as a Mexican Red-tail. I went to Hermann's site (thank you, Hermann), and it does look something like the pics there, but I honestly can't tell much of a difference. I guess I still have a LOT to learn about the different boa localities... (shucks, after my crash course in Guyana phase, I was ready to proclaim myself an expert... heheheh....yes, I'm kidding.)

Anyway, can anyone else comment about this boa's origin, based just on this bad picture?? (He's so wiggly I had to hold him with one hand, and take the photo with the other.)

Thanks again,

VA Reptile Rescue

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Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

Hi Bonnie,
jugded by the appearence I would say this animal is a crosss between a colombian boa c. imperator and a Boa c. imperator from Mexico (Sonora).

Nice animal anyway. Will surely make a good pet.
Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!

Most of the Mexicans I've seen have a much "busier" looking appearance as far as patterns are concerned. I'd have to agree with Herman on this one.

One day you should go to South, Central or North America to catch some boas, You will be surprise for the varieties of color and pattern that boas in a very small area have and will say ohh this one looks like a croos between imperator and constrictor, but looks at this one it is a cross between a brazilian and a Surinam and that one is a cross between Peruvian and Mexican.....

the crossbreeders start to release their animals in the wild.

You are somewhat exaggerating your point of view. Of course there exist integrades in the wild but Mexico and Colombia does not adjourn (if the maps available in Germany are correct).
Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!

My point is not that in a small area are integrades, my point is that for example in Venezuela I could catch boas with a varieties of color and pattern that a lot of people in this forme would think are integrade, The boas you got in your country are just the most beautifull individuals from a population, I could show you snakes from Venezuela that look like Mexican, Guyanan, Surinam, Colombian, etc.

every upright lover of true locality specific boas. Every boa on Gods Earth seems also to exist in Venezuela.
Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!

I think it's amazing that you can foresee what people would think or say in any given situation. Personally, I have to disagree with your post.It is a crude attempt to complicate and undermine a simple opinion. The post initiating this thread made reference to Mexican boas, not Venezuelan, Suriname etc. Mexican boas do have a certain look to them and yes you certainly may find oddballs that would thwart this line of thinking yet that is the case anywhere. Island boas are a perfect example of this. Although they have a look unlike most other boas, they are highly variable. I wouldn't look at one and say it looks like a cross between a Mexican and central American. Would you? Of course not. Since you seem to have first hand field knowledge in this matter, surely you have seen enough Mexicans that if you saw one in a collection that resembled the general wild population, you wouldn't tell them it looks like somethink else. Hmmmmmm?