whats a true red tail???

[Naginibellatrix]

what does true mean when referring to red tail boas

[Skittles1101]

A true red tail is a BCC and all other "red tails" are BCI.

The biggest difference is a B. C. Imperator (BCI) is commonly refered to as a "red tail," but their tail is typically more orange/brown w/black. They will have some red hues and pinks through out their body, but not anything outwardly bright typically.

B. C. Constrictors (BCC) are "true" redtails. They are beautiful animals, with much bolder patterns and brighter coloring than a BCI typically, especially in the tail.

There are also size differences, and some will claim temperment differences.

Truth of it all is they're all magnificent animals, it just comes down to preference.

The "Columbians" you've found are probably BCI/BCC hybrids at best, and are in fact not "true" redtails. BCIs are the most common boa in the pet trade, often called "Columbians" out of some sort of habit I guess, but they can be one of two or three locales. However, they are what most of us recognize as a "Redtail Boa."

http://www.constrictors.com/forums/s...020-BCI-vs-BCC

[Vypyrz]

Red Tail Boas are classified as follows:

Boa Constrictor Constrictor (BCC)- These are the "true red tails." These are generally the largest in size and maintain their red tails into adulthood. The tail will normally have a distinct red color that ranges from bright red to a deeper, more blood red color. They come from:
Peru
Brazil
Venezuela
Suriname
Guyana

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
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

Physical Differences:

-Saddle Shape: Generally the BCI saddles will have a rounder apearance, looking something like this: ( ) ( ) ( ), whereas the BCC saddles generally have an apex in the saddles, much like this: } { } { } { } . While this is a good marker, it is not always reliable.

-Head Shape: The head shape between BCC and BCI may be hard to detect in neonates, but from about 1 year in age, the differences become more apparent. The BCC generally have less pronounced jaw muscles, giving the head a more slender, longer, or uniformly tapered appearance, with a more pointed shaped nose. Also, the size of the head will appear larger in relation to the size of the body in the neck area. The BCI generally has more pronounced jaw muscles and a more blunt or broader looking nose, giving the head a shorter appearance. Also the BCI head will appear smaller in relation to the size of the body in the neck area.

Here is a photo of my Costa Rican BCI. In the photo, you can clearly see the rounded saddle pattern, as well as, the brown coloring on the tail saddles. You can also see that his jaw muscles are just starting to develope a more pronounced and rounder appearance, and in about a year, will be readily apparent.



-Scale Count: Scale count is another indicator of Boa type, however, since alot of the numbers overlap, it should not be relied on solely. Scale count + Head shape is the most accurate method of determining the type of Boa that you have. If you are looking for a specific locale of BCC or BCI, the easiest way to ensure that you are getting what you want is to buy from a reputable breeder who will guarantee the genetics.
Here is a chart that was posted on another forum with some basic scale and saddle counts. I left the authors name in the post so that he can recieve credit:

Here are the scale counts for you.

BCC
scale counts - 75 to 95 dorsal rows.
227 to 250 ventrals.
49 to 62 subcaudals.
Average 15 to 21 saddles.

BCI
scale counts - 56 to 79 dorsal rows.
225 to 253 ventrals.
47 to 65 subcaudals.
Average 22 to 30 saddles.

BCA ( Amaral Boa)
scale counts - 71 to 79 dorsal rows.
226 to 237 ventrals.
43 to 52 subcaudals.
Average 22 saddles.

BCL (Longicauada)
scale counts - 60 to 76 dorsal rows.
243 to 247 ventrals.
50 to 67 subcaudals.
Average 19 to 21 saddles.

BCO (Occidentalis)
scale counts - 65 to 87 dorsal rows.
242 to 251 ventrals.
45 subcaudals.
Average 22 to 30 saddles.


Take care
Tom

For those who are doing research or looking for care info, the following links are to the different sections of "The Ultimate Boa Constrictor Care Guide" by Clay English:

http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...ew-line-40589/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...-online-40590/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/part...-online-40591/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/emer...-online-40594/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/feed...ew-line-40593/
http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/inst...-online-40592/

You can also download the entire guide in PDF format free by going to this link and registering:

http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/down...ion-3-a-31312/

Also, here is a fairly in-depth article by Gus Rentfro, Rio Bravo Reptiles, on Boa Constrictor care:

http://www.redtailboa.net/forums/sna...tail-boas.html

Hopefully, all of these links and info will help those doing research, or the keeper who is just looking for some additional resources and info...

-Vypyrz-

[Naginibellatrix]

you just broke that down so nice, thanks so much!!!


i really appreciate it. it was bothering me

[Evenstar]

I'd like to thank both Leah and Vypryrz for breaking this down so clearly. I'm familiar with BCC and BCI and their differences, but not so much with the other locales. This is a very handy thread to bookmark now!

[nchapa]

The reason they are called colombians by habbit is because more were imported from there than anywhere else during the herping boom. So chances were if you had a Boa it was Colombian. alot less were imported from other localities, and some that have never made it to the states.

Gus Rentfro recently got a hold of some wild caught Tamaulipas Boas that were not previously known to have been in the pet trade. Weird thing is that Tamaulipas borders Texas so maybe there were some type of Boa that was native to southern U.S.

[babyknees]

I had read somewhere that the Suriname BCC is generally considered the truest red tail. Anyone else heard this?