identifying Boas

[dragunov.762]

Hey everone
I Just got a RTB 2 weeks ago and was wondering if there was any way to tell if it is a BCC or a BCI. I would hazard a guess at BCC but as my practical boa experience is severly limited i was wondering if anyone knew of a way to iddentify them. i am at school right now so sorry no pics (they are on another thread if anyone reads this before i get home to post some on here)
Just found the thread and it is called new red tail boa if anyone wants to see the pics

[Boa Nation]

Purebred Boa constrictor True boa constrictors

This is the best place I can think of off the top of my head. Best bet is to do scale count or have it done.

[Will0W783]

The easiest and quickest way I have found to tell the difference is by the head. A Colombian boa (BCI) will have a stripe down the center of its head, running from where the head meets neck down to the nose. A BCC, however, will also have that stripe, but will also have "crosshairs" connecting the eyes on top of the head, so that if you look down at the head, it looks like a cross. Mutts, BCC/BCI crosses, tend to also have crosshairs, but they can be fainter depending on how much BCI blood is in it.

[Boa Nation]

Thats not all ways correct. There are alot of BCC with no cross on the head.

The most important signs of Boa c. constrictor are the bat-shaped, brown to dark-brown middorsal blotches ("widows-peaks").

Info came from Purebred Boa constrictor True boa constrictors

[dragunov.762]

ok thanks she must be a BCC or cross then because she has a faint line connecting her eyes. also she has started to develope some pink around her mouth. ill see if i can get a pic of it

[dragunov.762]

ok maybe i was wrong then her saddles are smooth and not do not have the widows peak.

[Nafun]

om nom nom!

[Lankyrob]

lol - thought the same thing - beautiful snake but why is it eating itself?? (i know its not - dont worrry!)

[dragunov.762]

it was swallowing the tail of the mouse it was eating and "bit" itself

[Will0W783]

Looks to me like a common boa, i.e. Columbian. Beautiful girl though.

[bladeblaster]

Originally Posted by Will0W783

The easiest and quickest way I have found to tell the difference is by the head. A Colombian boa (BCI) will have a stripe down the center of its head, running from where the head meets neck down to the nose. A BCC, however, will also have that stripe, but will also have "crosshairs" connecting the eyes on top of the head, so that if you look down at the head, it looks like a cross. Mutts, BCC/BCI crosses, tend to also have crosshairs, but they can be fainter depending on how much BCI blood is in it.

Thats the wrong way around, Bci have a cross on the snout, Bcc don't. Not all Bci have a cross, but no Bcc have one.

I can't see the pictures, but there are several distinguishing features that can tell a true Bcc apart from a Bci or an intergrade.

[bladeblaster]

Originally Posted by Will0W783

The easiest and quickest way I have found to tell the difference is by the head. A Colombian boa (BCI) will have a stripe down the center of its head, running from where the head meets neck down to the nose. A BCC, however, will also have that stripe, but will also have "crosshairs" connecting the eyes on top of the head, so that if you look down at the head, it looks like a cross. Mutts, BCC/BCI crosses, tend to also have crosshairs, but they can be fainter depending on how much BCI blood is in it.

Originally Posted by Boa Nation

Thats not all ways correct. There are alot of BCC with no cross on the head.

The most important signs of Boa c. constrictor are the bat-shaped, brown to dark-brown middorsal blotches ("widows-peaks").

Info came from Purebred Boa constrictor True boa constrictors

No pure Bcc have a cross on the snout, many Bci have a cross, but certainly not all.

Not all Bcc have widows peaks either.

OP your boa is a Bci.

[Jenn_06]

both looks like BCI's and nice ones too

[dragunov.762]

Ok then she is a BCI. thanks alot for all the information and help

[Larrybabb]

Good looking one at that!