Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (2024)

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Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (1)

Normal 100% Het Leopard Female Boa Constrictor by Wild Cargo Pets

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (2)

Normal Boa Constrictor by Benjamin's Exotics

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (3)

NORMAL Boa Constrictor by Redsand Reptiles

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (4)

Normal Boa Constrictor by O.t.w exotics

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (6)

Normal Boa Constrictor by Imperial Reptiles & Exotics, LLC

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (7)

Normal Boa Constrictor by Snsnakes

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (8)

Normal Boa Constrictor by KBK Reptiles

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (9)

Normal Boa Constrictor by O.t.w exotics

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (10)

Normal Boa Constrictor by Imperial Reptiles & Exotics, LLC

Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (11)

Normal Boa Constrictor by Rogue Xotics

    Type: Other

    Aliases: Wild, Classic

    Issues: N/A

    First Produced In: Unknown

    Availability: Rarest

    Last Updated: 2022-06-30

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    About

    Common boas or Boa constrictor imperator, come in many different sizes and colors, even though they are all classified as the same species. BCI ranges from the Sonora desert in Mexico through the north eastern areas of South America. With such a large range there are many different locality boas that are distinctly different in appearance from geographic area to geographic area. Not all localities have morphs associated within that locality group.

    The groups can be broken down to the island boas, the Central American boas and the common boa. The island boas are further broken down to the specific islands that they originate from and the Central American boas are often broken down to specific countries or geographic areas from which they originate. The largest, as in size and commonly kept, of the BCI group is referred to as Colombian boas. This group contains the largest group of boa morphs. It is possible for the females of this last group to reach lengths of up to 12 feet with weights up to 40 pounds or more.
    [1]

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    History

    No history yet.

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    Appearance

    Head

    The head is predominantly pale with well-defined dark markings. There may be dark shading or barring on some of pale lip scales. There is a thin dark line on the top of the head from the internasals to the nape of the neck. Some specimens have two small lines over each eye. There is a small dark blotch below each eye and a dark horizontal line through each eye that continues as a well-defined dark postocular stripe.

    The pale color on the head and most of the body varies from the palest browns, often with yellow or pink highlights, through grayish browns to medium browns [2]

    Body

    The typical common boa constrictor is a pale snake that are primarily colored in shades of brown with a longitudinal series of 20 or more dark transverse bars spaced down the length of the back. These dark bars are each narrowest in the middle of the back and widest at the dorsolateral margin, where they incorporate a pale blotch on each side at the dorsolateral margin.

    In some boa constrictor patterns, the dark bars are connected along the sides to form a dark dorsal pattern on the back that outlines pale dorsal blotches that are oval or round. In other patterns, the dark dorsal bars are not connected to other dark elements of pattern.

    On the sides are a series of dark blotches with pale centers. Some blotches may contact the dark dorsal pattern. The pale areas of pattern are relatively evenly sprinkled with small black flecks and entire black scales. Generally, the patterns of boa constrictors from Colombia tend to include more bold black scales and even small black blotches on the sides than do the Central American specimens.

    On some snakes the sides of the body are pale silver gray with pink or orange highlights. The dark markings are a rich chocolate brown to brownish black, sometimes with thin black margins. The pale dorsolateral spots are yellowish to ivory white. [3]

    Belly

    The ventral surface of the neck and anterior body is ivory or pale gray, on the posterior half of the body the stomach becomes increasingly peppered with black smudges, flecks, and spots. [4]

    Tail

    The tails are pale with large, oval, black-edged red blotches. This pattern continues onto the posterior body where the red pattern becomes more like bands. Continuing forward from the area of the vent, each successive pale interspace becomes wider as each red band becomes more narrow and less red; in this manner the red pattern of the posterior body and tail melds into the dorsal pattern seen on most of the body.

    The pale coloration on the posterior body and tail is typically a medium ivory or pale yellowish tan. On dark-colored boas the red blotches on the tail and posterior body are typically dark brownish black with scattered dark oxblood-red scales; at the other extreme, the posterior red blotches of beautiful pale boas may be nearly solid bright red with thin black margins [5]

    Proven Lines

    No known proven lines

    Related Traits

    No known related traits

    Combos

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    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (12)

    VPI Het Anery Pink Panther Boa Constrictor by Snake Country

    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (13)

    Ghost IMG 66% Het VPI Boa Constrictor by Snake Country

    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (14)

    Super Hypo Jungle 66% DH Blood Kahl Albino Boa Constrictor by Snake Country

    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (15)

    Lipstick Kahl Albino Keywest Motley Jungle Boa Constrictor by Fresh Shed Reptiles

    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits (2024)

    FAQs

    Normal - Boa Constrictor Traits? ›

    The boa constrictor is a large, heavy-bodied snake. Their body markings consist of beige blotches on a dark brown background. Adults range in size from 2.4-3 m (8-10 ft.); some boas can exceed 3.6 m (12 ft.), but lengths of over 11 feet are extremely rare; newborn boas measure about 60 cm (24 in.)

    What are the characteristics of a boa constrictor? ›

    The head of the boa constrictor is long and triangular, with dark streaks from the eyes to the back of the jaw and another dark streak along the top. The basic coloration is deep brown-and-black markings—often in the shape of triangles, ovals, and joined ovals—against a pale brown-and-gray background.

    What is a normal common boa? ›

    The boa constrictor (scientific name also Boa constrictor), also known as the common boa, is a species of large, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. The boa constrictor is a member of the family Boidae. The species is native to tropical South America.

    How do boa constrictors behave? ›

    Boa constrictors and larger snakes are active, intelligent animals with individual personalities that must be respected. And some, just as with cats and dogs, are safer than others. Some boas seem to genuinely appreciate handling, and others don't care for it.

    What are the instincts of a boa constrictor? ›

    It is born with the instinct, or built-in knowledge, of how to hunt. It also has an instinct to hide to stay safe from predators. The baby boa's diet changes as it grows. The bigger it gets, the bigger its preferred prey becomes.

    What is the temperament of a boa snake? ›

    Boa constrictors tend to be quite docile, although their potential to reach large sizes make them inappropriate pets for new keepers. Common boas are known for being curious, and come in a wide variety of color morphs. For intermediate-advanced keepers, boa constrictors can make great pets.

    Do boa constrictors like to be held? ›

    Most boas do like to be handled, especially with practice.

    What is the friendliest boa? ›

    The Central American Boa tends to be the most docile of the Boa genus, and is the most common species available in the pet trade. Some sources argue that it is one of the best beginner snakes a reptile enthusiast can have.

    What are two facts about boa constrictors? ›

    Like all snakes, boas are excellent swimmers, but they usually avoid going into the water as much as possible. Boas have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their prey. Boas are nocturnal hunters - they rely on heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the dark.

    Why is my baby boa hissing at me? ›

    Snakes have a pretty limited vocabulary; when it's hissing, it's trying to intimidate you. Usually the snake feels threatened, and is trying to tell you "leave me alone!" Get back.

    How to grab a boa? ›

    It's important to know how to hold a boa, so it feels secure. One hand should be under its body near its head, and the other hand should be under the back half of its body. The boa might loosely wrap itself around you for added support, but it typically won't constrict unless it feels alarmed or like it's falling.

    What is the lifespan of a boa constrictor? ›

    Female boas incubate eggs inside their bodies and give birth up to 60 live babies. Boas are about 2 feet long when they are born and grow continually throughout their 25 to 30-year lifespan. The largest boa constrictor ever found measured 18 feet.

    Are boa constrictor easy to care for? ›

    When fully grown the snake only needs to be fed a large meal once every 2-3 weeks. Water should aways be available for both drinking and bathing. We advise providing a bowl large enough for the snake to submerge itself inside on the cool end of the vivarium. Water should be changed daily to ensure it remains fresh.

    Are boa snakes calm? ›

    But boas are usually pretty quiet and calm and don't deserve their nasty reputation. They are not venomous, and many do not live in jungles. The straight and narrow. Because of the large size many boas can reach, they move by traveling forward in a straight line, which is known as rectilinear progression.

    What are some cool facts about boa constrictors? ›

    Like all snakes, boas are excellent swimmers, but they usually avoid going into the water as much as possible. Boas have special heat-sensing pits on their faces that allow them to detect the body heat of their prey. Boas are nocturnal hunters - they rely on heat-sensing abilities to hunt in the dark.

    How poisonous is a boa constrictor? ›

    Overview. Boa constrictors are non-venomous snakes; they strike at their prey grabbing it with their sharp teeth. They wrap their muscular body around their victim, squeezing until it suffocates. You can meet the reptiles in the 'Disscovery Zone' (only open at set times throughout the day).

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