Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this question has probably been asked over and over again (there's a small post below with few responses), but I'm asking again to see if I can get some more detailed response. Please don't hate me. But...

What is the major difference between MGBs and Dumerils (they look relatively similar to me). Why are MGB's so much more expensive? I do not see them nearly as much as Dumerils; is this why? Is it because they are more rare? How about temperament? And adult lengths/sizes? Do they compare much?

How would someone new to Dumerils/MGB's know what to look for in the two? If a newbie wanted to buy an MGB, what should they look for to make sure they're not getting screwed and spending a whole lot of money on a Dumeril?

Thanks in advance! I really appreciate the help! I have quite a few snakes, many boas and pythons, and I was looking into getting one of the two just as a pet and pretty addition to my collection. They are so beautiful and always catch my eye.

Which would you recommend between MGBs and Dumerils and WHY??? (don't forget the why part )
-----
Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is by looking at the head scales. MGB's have larger head scales than Dum's (Dum's head scales are like a BCI).
As far as size goes, MGB's are larger than Dum's. The Dum's average between 5-7ft (personal experience) with occassional snakes reaching 10ft plus, I have a 7ft female and a 9ft female. MGB's average more in the 8-10ft range. Both are heavy bodied snakes. My 9ft female weighs around 45lbs.
Temperaments vary in both species. All of the Dum's that I have delt with have had great attitudes. I don't have alot of experience with MGB's, but they seem to be like the Dum's.
Color and pattern vary with both. MGB's tend to have very little saddling in the dorsal pattern and tend to be lighter in overall color. Dum's can saddle up like a BCI or BCC and some will have alot of zig-zagging in the saddles. Dum's coloration can range from dark to very light and there are some very nice "Red" Dum's.
Both Dum's & MGB's will have the pure white throat patches.

As far as availability goes, MGB's are not as consistently bred as Dum's. Just like most snakes, the prettier they are the more expensive they are. The average cost for a neonate Dum is around $125 and MGB's tend to float around the $400-600 mark. They are both wonderful snakes. If you can find a good priced MGB and can afford it, then buy it. But, Dum's are always gonna be easier to find.
-----
1.3 dumerils boas, 1.0 albino burmese python, 0.0.1 wc prairie kingsnake, 0.2 bearded dragons, 0.0.1 sulcata tortoise

Litter sizes are also smaller with MGBs. Dumerils can have litters in the 20-30 range. MGBs are usually in the 4-8 range. MGB babies are close to 2 foot at birth while Dumerils are less than half that size.

I also believe more Dumerils have been imported than MGBs. This seems a little unusual to me because my discussions with Bill Love who does herp tours in Madagascar he has always stated that MGBs seem to be easier to find in the areas he has searched.

I wish more breeders worked with the MGBs and the Madagascar Tree Boas (MTBs). They are such awesome animals. All of the Malagasy boids are extremely underrated.
-----
1.3 dumerils boas, 1.0 albino burmese python, 0.0.1 wc prairie kingsnake, 0.2 bearded dragons, 0.0.1 sulcata tortoise