Common boa with origin in Sonora (Mexico)

Seven to eleven subspecies for Boa constrictor are acknowledged. I care for three subspecies:

Common boa (Boa constrictor imperator)

Common boas are among the most robust boids. They are very adaptable and live in a number of habitats with different climate. The animals of this subspecies are very variable in drawing, color and size. Boa c. imperator inhabits Central America and the northern part of South America west of the Andes forming a variety of local forms.

One of them comes from Sonora. This local form remains small. Females reach a length up to 140–180 cm, males 100–150 cm. The sonoran desert in Mexico is home to very dark, black-gray-colored animals with light-gray pattern. Among this variant, you’ll find the most contrasted Common boas. The natural climate is very dry for a boa habitat and there are strong day-night temperature fluctuations in this biotop. I care for a pair of this local form that carries a recessive gene for anerythrism.

Common boa with origin in Costa Rica

The second local form I care for has its origin in Costa Rica (Northern variant): They have the typical "imperator-crossing" on their head and butterfly-formed saddles. This Common boas are usually more colorful than the ones you can find further in the south and have a medium to dark gray or brown basic coloring with orange to reddish-brown, often linked saddle spots and reddish-brown tail markings. Females reach a length up to 180–220 cm, males 140–170 cm.

Albino-Boa (Sharp)

I also care for a group of Albino Boas (sharp line), this is the second most commonly bred form of amelanism with Boas, the animals lack the black pigment in there skin, witch does not limit or weaken the animals in the terrarium. The male is a very contrast drawn albino with an interesting red pattern on the tail. Two of the females are heterozygous and one is a Salmon (het albino), a part of the offsprings from the mating with this female will therefore be Sunglows. I own animals of different blood lines.

Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis)

Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis)

Boa c. occidentalis are boas from the very south of South America (Pampas in northern and central Argentina and Paraguay). It is the only subspecies that is conducted in the appendix I of CITES and thus enjoys an international special protection. Offsprings can only be sold with original CITES-papers. The climate is humid and warm, but due to the southern location there are strong temperature fluctuation between day and night and in the southern winter temperatures can fall as low as 8°C!

Tumbes boa (Boa constrictor longicauda)

Tumbes-Boa (Boa constrictor longicauda)

The name “longicauda” translates to "longtail" and is referring to the difference in the body proportions with this subspecies compared to all others. This subspecies inhabit the province Tumbes in northwestern Peru (west of the Andes). Meanwhile this first in 1991 described form is declared as a true new subspecies. Females can grow up to 230–290 cm of length, males 170–230 cm. I take care of two pairs of the light-coloured variation, all snakes are very calm in character and with great appetite.