New Boa: BCC or BCI?

[colecolor]

Hey fellow reptile friends!
I recently purchased a boa constrictor and she is just beautiful. She was listed as a red tail boa on Craigslist and about a year old. Upon doing more research I realized there are actually different kinds and she may not be a true red tail. Can you guys help me out and maybe provide more info?
Here is a link to some photos and videos of her:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v5craule4...jiwlNMuUa?dl=0
I did my research on size, temperament, eating and enclosures, I guess just not on the different species. Do I have a true red tail boa or the imperator? I’m a little fuzzy on the differences and cannot tell myself.
Also, it seems many other female boas are quite larger than this at a year old. Do you think she was being underfed?
This is my first Boa! Lol forgive me if I should know some of these things but I’ve always stuck with corn snakes and ball pythons, I’m branching out haha!

[MarkL1561]

BCI/BI


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[WrongPython]

Looks like a BI (Boa imperator) to me! True red tails (Boa constrictor; BC) are a bit harder to come by. BI are sometimes referred to as "red tailed boas," even though this designation truly belongs to BC. This is probably the case with your girl. The fact that your boa's tail is brown is also a good indicator that she's a BI - most BIs' tails fade to brown as they age, while BCs' stay a brilliant red.

BIs are much hardier than BCs, so they make better first boas in my opinion. The "Boa FAQ" sticky in this sub-forum has some useful information. Good luck, and don't be afraid to keep asking questions!

[dakski]

Hey fellow reptile friends!
I recently purchased a boa constrictor and she is just beautiful. She was listed as a red tail boa on Craigslist and about a year old. Upon doing more research I realized there are actually different kinds and she may not be a true red tail. Can you guys help me out and maybe provide more info?
Here is a link to some photos and videos of her:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v5craule4...jiwlNMuUa?dl=0
I did my research on size, temperament, eating and enclosures, I guess just not on the different species. Do I have a true red tail boa or the imperator? I’m a little fuzzy on the differences and cannot tell myself.
Also, it seems many other female boas are quite larger than this at a year old. Do you think she was being underfed?
This is my first Boa! Lol forgive me if I should know some of these things but I’ve always stuck with corn snakes and ball pythons, I’m branching out haha!

A few things.

1. Probably a Boa Imperator, or BI.

2. Female BI's, although not as large as BCC, can get quite large, depending on how often and what you feed them. Less is more with Boas. My female BI is 3 1/2 years old and about 5FT and 1,700G. She has been fed conservatively. She currently eats a medium rat every 3 weeks. She could eat a bigger rat size and would eat weekly if offered, but that wouldn't be in her best interest. Still, she will probably be 6.5-8FT as an adult (they grow their entire lives, but slows down a lot after about 6 years old) and about 12-20 pounds.

Make sure you have the proper enclosure planned for when she's bigger.

3. Temps and humidity are a little different with Boas vs. BP's, and especially corns.

86-88F hot side/hot spot

80-82F ambient

78-80F cool side.

Humidity 50% plus in winter and 60%+ in summer up to about 70-75%. In the winter, I raise humidity in shed.

3. Given what I said above, your Boa looks ok.



What are you feeding and how often?

[richardhind1972]

Nice looking boa you brought
Definitely a boa imperata
This is my Guyana true red tail or boa constrictor(bc) (used to be bcc)

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[colecolor]

A few things.

1. Probably a Boa Imperator, or BI.

2. Female BI's, although not as large as BCC, can get quite large, depending on how often and what you feed them. Less is more with Boas. My female BI is 3 1/2 years old and about 5FT and 1,700G. She has been fed conservatively. She currently eats a medium rat every 3 weeks. She could eat a bigger rat size and would eat weekly if offered, but that wouldn't be in her best interest. Still, she will probably be 6.5-8FT as an adult (they grow their entire lives, but slows down a lot after about 6 years old) and about 12-20 pounds.

Make sure you have the proper enclosure planned for when she's bigger.

3. Temps and humidity are a little different with Boas vs. BP's, and especially corns.

86-88F hot side/hot spot

80-82F ambient

78-80F cool side.

Humidity 50% plus in winter and 60%+ in summer up to about 70-75%. In the winter, I raise humidity in shed.

3. Given what I said above, your Boa looks ok.



What are you feeding and how often?

I’ve had her for a few weeks now and have been doing one hopper a week. I’m thinking it’s about time to move to rat pups or something like that? I can’t wait until she gets bigger! ��

I’m keeping her in a 40 g tank she came with, as of now. But In a few months I’m getting a taller and bigger terrarium for her. It’s my understanding you can keep younger ones in a 40g until they start growing bigger?

And thanks for your help, very informative!

[Cheesenugget]

Looks like a BI (Boa imperator) to me! True red tails (Boa constrictor; BC) are a bit harder to come by. BI are sometimes referred to as "red tailed boas," even though this designation truly belongs to BC. This is probably the case with your girl. The fact that your boa's tail is brown is also a good indicator that she's a BI - most BIs' tails fade to brown as they age, while BCs' stay a brilliant red.

BIs are much hardier than BCs, so they make better first boas in my opinion. The "Boa FAQ" sticky in this sub-forum has some useful information. Good luck, and don't be afraid to keep asking questions!

Sorry for going off topic, but why are BC harder to come by? Are they difficult to breed in captivity? Do they not live as long?

[dakski]

I’ve had her for a few weeks now and have been doing one hopper a week. I’m thinking it’s about time to move to rat pups or something like that? I can’t wait until she gets bigger! ��

I’m keeping her in a 40 g tank she came with, as of now. But In a few months I’m getting a taller and bigger terrarium for her. It’s my understanding you can keep younger ones in a 40g until they start growing bigger?

And thanks for your help, very informative!

Mouse hopper or rat hopper?

Give a meal that is about the width of her body at the fattest part, or a little less. You don't want meals to live a noticeable bump, or if they do, not for long.

Are you feeding live or Frozen Thawed (F/T)?

40G terrariums, or any terrarium/glass enclosure are difficult to maintain humidity and heat in.

I would recommend getting something like a Boaphile Plastic enclosure, or other PVC type tank, in the future.

Floor space is also more important than height. She will need at least a 5X2' enclosure if not a 6X2'.

What are your temps and humidity now?

[richardhind1972]

Sorry for going off topic, but why are BC harder to come by? Are they difficult to breed in captivity? Do they not live as long?

They bc grow alot bigger generally, I know there are some dwarfs and most are really quite girthy too. so alot of people can't house them and handle them properly and safely . They also mature a few years older than the imperata types.
Some people don't think there too colourful. unlike the imperata type which have been out bred to produce loads of different morphs..
but a decent bc is outstanding in colouratuon in my opinion

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[AbsoluteApril]

Your boa is deff. a Bi. Congrats on the new pick up! Boas are great!

Sorry for going off topic, but why are BC harder to come by? Are they difficult to breed in captivity? Do they not live as long?

They live just as long, take longer to mature, more difficult to breed and are not as common as Bi. Generally find more locality purists and the pricing is generally much higher (especially for known/proven locality lines).
Bi are called 'common boa' or 'redtail boa' and are/were imported in much larger quantities for the pet trade. They also have some localities (most 'dwarf' boas are localities of Bi) but more commonly crossed, typically from Colombia and Central America/Mexico areas.