Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Been thinking about getting a girl,however I don't really know the difference between the two.Can you pls. help?

The "Silverback" line of Bolivian Amarali was originated by Joe Terry, this is only one of a few lines which he originated.
So basically, all Silverbacks are Bolivian Amarali...but not all Bolivians are Silverbacks.

Silverbacks are a certain bloodline of bolivian amarilli developed by Joe Terry way back.. I believe in the 80's..
these animals (true forms) can be easily recognized from common and extra colored bolivians.
Few breeders out there do still breed this true form to each other and make them available.

An adult Silverback is a very impressive animal, but the other bolivians these days are getting lighter and prettier and more colorful.

hope this helped..

Take care, Joe
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

Although since I have seen some very nice photos of silverbacks and I believe mine is just a bolivian and not a silverback...what do you all think?

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1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Silverback Bolivian Boa - Cyn
0.0.1 Albino Banded California Kingsnake - Sax
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
2.0 Dogs - Bo & Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

I would say that it may be, but it is very difficult to tell by a pic especially at this age.. they all have light pattern as babies, it doesn't fill in until later on..
Who did you purchase from?
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

I purchased him from The East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley CA. on June 11th. They usually don't breed the bolivians themselves but they bought this one from a local breeder a few days before I bought him. Other than that they really wouldn't provide me with any information about their breeder they went through, I thought that was kind of weird myself...but I really wanted this snake so I really didn't mind.
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1.0 Ball Python - Keo
1.0 Silverback Bolivian Boa - Cyn
0.0.1 Albino Banded California Kingsnake - Sax
1.0 Ferret - Bijou
2.0 Cats - Bocephus & Arnold
2.0 Dogs - Bo & Stewie
0.2 Rats - Gwen & XG1

Back in the early 80s Joe Terry had two producing Bolivian females. One he called his "original" female and the other his "silverback".
The names were only given to differentiate the two. That way, when discussing the two females, you had some reference instead of "this female" or "that female". But there was really not much difference between the two females. One was more pinkish brown and the other was greyish brown. Joe called the one 'silverback' but frankly, I never could see that much difference between the two.
The mystique that has emerged over the years regarding "true silverbacks" or "pure silverbacks" is one biggest jokes in all of the boa hobby. Sure, some are lighter and some are darker. Some breeders have very pretty, light Bolivians and others dark, muddy ones. But the same could be said of all boas.

Both the same snakes period.A line drawn on a piece of paper isnt worth squat.If there super clean they call them suri's and charge people out the ying yang,if there darker and heavily speckled by God there guyanas.Marketing gimmicks kill me...Paul