I absolutely could not tell the difference between a GTP and and ETB, so don't feel bad. The only boa and python species I can identify are the obvious ones, balls, burms, retics, BRB, boa constrictors... (and actually, telling the difference between a burm and a retic is hard for me when they are young) when it gets to some of the less common ones, I have trouble too, and I think unless you own/ breed them, are a credentialed herpetologist, or have an outstanding memory, it's pretty hard to know EVERYTHING.
I think knowing the scientific differences is impressive enough, and probably all you need to know to not be embarrassed.
The most glaring differences are reproduction and geography. Pythons: egg layers from Africa, Asia, and Australia. Boas: Life bearers from the Americas. Of course, nature has no absolutes, so there are exceptions to every rule.
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