Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sitting here kind of bored tonight, I started exploring the net trying to see if I could find any documentation on what the largest Red Tail was. To no avail, nothing being found and it would be pretty neat to find out why nobody seems to have this info.I remember 15yrs ago when my old buddy Crutchfield would bring in some Surinames that were 13ft and over 100 pounds, but the beasts are few and far between. Right now, I may have two of the biggest. One close to 12ft and 80 pounds and the other 13 footer that I am fixing to buy from my buddy Pete " both Guyanas. " Do any of you guys and gals know of any that are bigger? I know alot of guys in this Hobby for alot of years, but they are kind of like me, mainly just talk about what they use to have or have seen in the past or heard through the grape vine. Just thought I would throw this out ther and maybe we can all go on a little scavenger hunt and see what can be found............Johnson Herp

aka 'suriname man'

He has an awsome female that is above 12ft if I'm not mistaken.
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recycle your pets

Did you try contacting any zoos?

I have tried a few, but not all. I know years ago, that San Diego was supposed to have a B.C.C. that was right at 15ft. I never seen it in person, but some of my buddies had and they said; " By looking at her, you could tell she was pretty long, but she was also fairly lean in mass and it would be hard to tell if she was really that long without actually seeing her get measured. " In my somewhat quest and curiosity to find the largest Red Tail " B.C.C. or B.C.I. " it is length, more-so than mass that I am looking for, but over all length and mass is preferable. The problem with mass is, it is easy to power feed a Boa and create a large mass, but it is usually older and more maintained Boas, that will achieve good weight and length over a longer life span. Hobbyist can be terrible at estimating length and weight, without accurately measuring and weighing the animal on an actuall scale. I have seen tons of 10 footers that were all 8ft and tons of 50-60 pounders that were 35-40 pounds when it came down to actuall numbers. Pete Bandre " Incredible Pets " back in 97 brought in the litter of babies that everyone knows as the " Unknown Locality Line " that started Brian Abrahamsons bloodline. The female that dropped the babies in the wild was going to be brought in by Pete and Lindy Johnson, but they decided not too because of the cost at the time. According to Pete, the female was 160kilo and if my math is somewhat right, that is around 140 pounds and 14ft long! No doubt, in the far reaches of the Jungle, there are probably B.C.C. that reach close to 16ft and over 150 pounds, but these are ancient GOD grown animals that were probably crawling around since the invention of dirt. My curiosity is with captive animals that are here now and hopefully more people will get involved in this search. Through all of our disagreements, I think we can all agree, if there is a 15ft 100 pound or more Boa out there, we would all like to see at least a picture of it.........Johnson Herp

Tom McCarthy has a page of biguns.. www.mccarthyboas.com There are stacks of monsters pictured on the big boa page.
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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

I have checked out that site and some of those Boas are probably some of the largest you will find in captivity. The search continues though, for the number one Big Kahuna........Johnson Herp

I saw the female Guyana RTB at San Diego zoo back in 2001. The sign on her enclosure said she was just over 13 feet and over 80 lbs. She looked very healthy (not over fed). She had also been in captivity for more than 20 years. That is the largest boa I have ever seen. Her head was ENORMOUS! I'm not she is still there, but she was an awesome sight to see.
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Derek Roberts
Sonoran Reptile Breeders
sonoranreptile@cox.net
"As we wait here for a sign, we are greeted by the end of time." --Zao

Well, according to what I have heard over the years, she was " supposed to be " the largest in captivity. If she was or is 13ft and 80 pounds, then my two Guyana girls, must be in the top three largest.....Thanks.......Johnson Herp

160 kilos is more about 360 lbs. That would be a sight to see. I know what you mean about people overestimating, I have a 9' 40 lb that everyone sees and swears she is 11 ft. and atleast 80 lbs.