Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why are there so many more Dumerils available compared to Mad. Ground Boas? Is it as simple as more were/are imported over the years than were/are Mad. Ground Boas or have they just proven easier to breed?

I am fortunate to have 1.1 Mad Ground Boas that are only 4' so I have a while to wait for maturity but it just seems this genus is represented like 20:1 Dumerils-to-Mads.

Bill

Just wanted to show off some of my mads from my Sunburst line since there was a topic about it! Thanks

Tom

Very nice! I think a few things add up to less MGB's than Dumerils. They're very similar in appearance and for a long time, the MGB's were MUCH more expensive. The higher price meant less people had them, less people were working with them, and they do tend to have smaller litters, so the price didn't come down quickly by any means. Then there is the cross suspicion, so for a long time only a few people were considered a good source for MGB's and when you're going to spend a grand more for an animal you really want to know what you're getting. Well, that's my brief opinion on the 20:1 ratio. Take care

Interesting question. I have talked to Bill Love about his trips to Madagascar and he told me that MGBs are far more prevalent on his tours. May just be a matter of the locals they tour. I'm sure the smaller litters plays into as well.

Besides all that, Dumarils are more colorful and smaller than Ground boas, so are easier to house and might be cheaper to feed. My best guess-