Question

[Neal]

I'm possibly looking to get a red tail boa, and I'v seen all the different kind, but I really dont understand the major difference, would anybody care to enlighten me?

[JimiSnakes]

This is a very broad question Neal. You may need to narrow it down some because I really don't want to write down an essay, lol. Thanks.

[DavidG]

This may come off as me being a jerk. However, I do not mean it that way!

Google is your best friend. Google Red Tail Boa and write down all the scientific names, or common names. Then google each of those, and look on kingsnake(.com) for a price range. The information is out there in a million different places, it just takes a little research.

[Little B-Py]

Here is a link to a thread I started, take a read and click the links.

[Neal]

I read it, but I was moreless questioning the looks of the Red Tails. I seen Columbian Red Tail Boas which I guess are your most common? Then I seen a Suriname, and to me it looked exactly like the columbian? I've also read about the Surinames harder to keep? I'm willing to learn everything, and I don't like google because alot of people say one thing, then you have others contradicting what that person says.

[frankykeno]

Neal just a suggestion when it comes to research and using Google/websites. Get yourself a pen and paper, do your research and note down the major points you find. Your list might cover things like....

- overall look of the snake
- size of mature male vs mature female
- general husbandry needs
- any issues of temperment
- any known health issues
- laws in your community about keeping larger snakes (some boas exceed some communities legal limit on length for instance)

Now as you're researching if you find the same information from various sources (not regurged info though that's obviously been cut and pasted), put a check mark beside it. Once you have at least 3 opinions that agree, circle that info in red. When you are done, you've basically created your own cheat sheet.

This will help you be able to define things, to develop your ideas on what you like and don't like or can or can't handle in a boa and in the end help you ask more specific questions about a certain type of boa.

P.S. Just saw your siggie line and see you have an Anaconda already so you are probably already well aware of any laws affecting larger snake ownership where you live.

[Neal]

Yea anything growing 12ft+ I need a permit for, so that's not a problem, and DAMN! you have it pinpointed as far as information goes with 3 same sources circle in red, ill do that a bit later. Thanks.