Can someone clarify something for me (Hog Island Boa)

I am confused in regards to Hog island boas. If someone could please explain if they are the only "dwarf boa". I would also like to know if the max out at 5 ft. Are there any morphs for these boas or just basic coloration. My last question is what is a blood boa. thank you for bearing with me i am very new to herps especially boas

They are not the only small boa, the central American boa would be another example of a smaller boa, there are more as well. As far as hog islands they can get over 7 feet rare with 100% pure hogs but it can happen. You are most likely looking at a 6 foot snake in a hog island.

There are over a dozen various subspecies of BCI which includes the "dwarf" localities and insular subspecies such as Hog Islands and Cay Caulkers. Here's part of a post by Vypyrz that lists the breakdown of the subspecies (for the purpose of this thread, I've included the subspecies for BCI only). I've highlighted in red the "dwarf" localities.


Originally posted by Vypyrz:

Boa Constrictor Imperator (BCI)- This is the largest group of boa constrictors. Their tail color normally ranges from a darker, more subdued red to a more common brown color. They include the boas from Central America:

Colombia
Panama
Costa Rica
Nicaraqua
Mexico: Tamaulipas, Tarahumara, Sonora Desert
and the insular islands:
Hogg Island
Caulker Cay
Crawl Cay
Corn Island

Boa Constrictor Amarali (BCA)- Bolivian boa constrictors

Boa Constrictor Longicauda (BCL)- These come from the Tumbes region of Peru. They are also known as the Peruvian Long-tail Boa, as they have a higher scale count from their vent to tail tip, than the Peruvian BCC.

Boa Constrictor Occidentalis (BCO)- Argentine boa constrictors.

Boa Constrictor Sabogae (BCS)- Pearl Island boa constrictors

As well as, some of the lesser known sub-species:
Boa Constrictor Nebulosa- Dominican Republic, Lesser Antilles
Boa Constrictor Orophias- St. Lucia
Boa Constrictor Melanogaster- Ecuador Black Belly

It is best to research each of these, as they have different sizes, colorings, and growth rates. Here are a few websites to help you get started, where the different sub-species of Boa Constrictor are discussed and described:

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html

http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/contactinformation/

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/index.htm

<<<<< End Quote >>>>>


I may have missed one or two! Cutting Edge Herps has significant and detailed info on these dwarf subspecies - Vin Russo specializes in them. And also with the blood boas. Bloods are a color morph with beautiful red and dark rose hues. Much redder than a hypo. Here is the page from Vin's site that tells about their history: Cutting Edge Herps - blood boas.

Many dwarf localities will max out around 5ft. It will depend on the specific locality though. Hog Islands tend to reach about 6ft while the Mexican Tarahumaran Mountain boa hardly ever even reaches 4ft in length.

There are not many morphs in dwarf localities. Most breeders attempt to keep these boas of pure lineage. But some color/patterns are proven genetic such as bloods, hypos, anerys, and leopards.

Hope this helps! :gj:

One last question, Im thinking of picking one up this weekend. Can someone post a link to a care sheet for hog island boas?

^ Care for them the same as you would a Colombian, or any other BCI for that matter IMO.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

^ Care for them the same as you would a Colombian, or any other BCI for that matter IMO.

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Exactly.

I really appreciate everyones help thanks guys

I'm not sure what a Blood Boa is. Did you mean Blood Python?

Sent from my Motorola ATRIX using Tapatalk 2.

http://www.burkereptiles.com/Docs/Blood.htm

Thanks for the link. Now I know...:gj:

I ended up picking one up at the reptile show today. Here she is.....
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...o/SDC11659.jpg

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Now I know...:gj:

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And knowing is half the battle...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sho220

And knowing is half the battle...

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hahahaha GO JOE!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muydesso

I ended up picking one up at the reptile show today. Here she is.....
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...o/SDC11659.jpg

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That's a really nice looking Hoggie!! Name??

Congrats on your pickup - you won't be sorry! But be warned - boas are addictive...... :P

I havent named her yet. I am taking suggestions if anyone is interested in contributing. I agree that they are I noticed that I am reading all I can about boas and I have a feeling that ill eventually get another one