Visual differences

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alexandra V

The way I see it most of the time with boas vs. pythons is that boas tend to have much longer, more angular lines to them in terms of body shape and build, as well as face shape, where as pythons tend to be (not always, but very often) more rounded and compact.

For instance, an example of an angular boa head (BCI... I think?):
http://www.petcareland.com/wp-conten...ailed-boa1.jpg

A more rounded boa head (Dumeril's boa):
http://www.dumerilboa.com/images/dumeril_boa_head.jpg

An angular python head (Blood python):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rongersmai.jpg

A rounded python head (GTP):
http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...hot-308607.jpg

While both groups have species with more angular and more rotund features, the boas always have that kind of pointy look to them while they pythons always seem to have that more blunted look to them... I don't know if you see what I'm talking about, I'm notoriously bad at explaining these kinds of things :P it makes sense in my head, but not necessarily in words.

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I understand if noone else did :D When I very first started distinguishing between pythons and boas, I always looked at the noses. Rounded type noses are pythons....squared noses are boas. :D However, there can exceptions to the rule ;)

start with the main ones: ball pythons, burmese pythons, carpet pytons, reticulated pythons, blood pythons, gtp's.... try to distinguish the difference between those.

then look at boas: red tails, rainbows, ETB's...you probably wont recognize the subtle differences in subspecies and localities of boa constrictors but they all kind of generally look the same in my opinion.

Also remember that boas are a new world species and pythons are an old world species. so if you have a large constrictor from south america, its a boa or an anaconda (you will be able to tell the difference between these two pretty easily). if you have a large constrictor from asia, africa, or australia, its a python.

Before you know it, you will be able to determine the difference quite easily, trust me.

Thanks to everyone for the great responses, helpful information, and reassuring comments.