Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These are Isla de Maize (Nicaragua) or Corn island boas born here 06/12, they have shed and just taken their first meal.

The color in these comes on gradually after the first few sheds. Isla de maize boas are strongly metachroic, just like Hogs..

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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

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Jonathan Brady
My Kingsnake Photo Gallery

hi

What are the approximate lengths and weigts of the sire and dam? Do they have the typical Central American boa attitude? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time,
Scott

Isla de Maize boas
(Boa c. imperator)

Isla de Maize or Corn Island is two small islands of Nicaragua. In 1997 a Florida reptile enthusiast directly imported 42 of these unique boas (Reptiles magazine). Rio Bravo Reptiles acquired 6 of the group and currently holds the largest and most diverse colony of Isla de Maize boas and has produced offspring yearly since 2000.

The dominant color of these boas is soft green, greenish-tan or olive. The most eye-catching examples can be almost lime-colored (especially at night) with a rose, orange or coral wash infusing the sides and ventral surface, increasing posteriorly. Isla de Maize boas are strongly metachroic and change color and tone at least as dramatically as the Hog Is. animals.

Saddle counts (S-V) average 23 and the last several saddles just above the vent are commonly fused and misshapen. Caudal saddles, (especially in the young) are brightly colored and contrasting, yellow, orange and black. The ventral surface of a Corn Is. boa is sparsely marked. The anterior of the belly is a plain, beautiful cloudy greenish white with white or rose hints on the fore-body. Rose, coral pink or hot-orange coloration increases towards the tail. Offset dark spots are sometimes found nearer the vent. Dorsal speckling is moderate. All babies born here have been lighter and less speckled than any of the original imports. Several babies have been born virtually without speckles. Black pigmentation on many of these boas is faded and dispersed in a way suggesting hypo-melanism.

Corn Is. boas are more slender compared to mainland imperator and may be somewhat more arboreal in habit. Both neonates and adults will use vertical cage structure. These are muscular, strong boas and can be quite active in captivity, especially at night. Neonates are somewhat smaller and markedly more slender than most imperator newborns and have prominent eye orbits. Every one of our Corn Is. boas has readily fed on mice or rats. Our females produced their first litters at just under 4’ in length. The largest of our 6 to 7 year olds is now 5’ 8” in length. It is unknown how large one of these rare boas might become if fed aggressively over a period of years. Isla de Maize boas in our care have done exceptionally well on our conservative feeding program.

These boas respond strongly to seasonality in breeding. Copulation resembles that of arboreal taxa, very knotted and prolonged and normally occurs upon temperature rise. Litters of 9 to 14 have been born as soon as about 150 days P.O.S..

Our Corn Island boas are not aggressive and rarely attempt to strike. However, they do not display the (apparent) ease or calmness that many other so-called tame boas often will when being held or restrained. There are other observed, apparently unique, behaviors.

A. Rentfro (01/17/01 06/20/03)
RioBravoReptiles.com All rights reserved.

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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

.