iHerp Answers: BCC, BCI, or BCC x BCI? & Regurge

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BCC, BCI, or BCC x BCI? & Regurge

Posted By:

chich

I have a young boa that was probed female. Her name is Ariel.

Ive been doing some research about BCC vs. BCI (personally, im not one of those people that think a BCI is inferior) but the person who sold Ariel to me said that they didnt know.

As for the saddle count, she has 18, but that doesnt make her a BCC instantly. Her vent is located on the weird ''u'' shaped saddle. Most of her saddles connect too.

Shes got a bright red tail, but theres so many morphs out there, and crosses that you neer know.

I personally wouldnt care, but From waht ive read, BCC's have different housing requirements than BCI's and shes thriving, but not growing much. I have a few young ball pythons that are her size, and they are taking the same meal, a small adult mouse, but shes regurgitated 4 different times (not in a row). From what ive read, a BCC's stomach isnt as 'strong' as a BCI's, so they have to take smaller meals.

What i want to know, even though its almost an impossible task, is do i have a BCC, a BCI, or a hybrid?

Attached Photos:


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Genetics
Tags:	Boa, Identification, Locale, Regurge, RTB, Subspecies
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor imperator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

11/28/2009 8:27:10 AM

Jeffriey

BCI

Member Comment

11/28/2009 8:38:56 AM

FyreFocks

BCI

Member Comment

11/28/2009 8:42:31 AM

Carusima

Look like a BCI. VERY gorgeous none the less though! If she's regurging, I doubt it's from too big of prey. You should get her checked out to make sure she doesn't have any parasites. Both BCI and BCC can take pretty large of prey items, they aren't really different at all. The main difference is BCI get larger than BCC. But other than that, they're pretty similar. I've never had a BCI to regurg and I've always fed mine the appropriate size. My ones a little over a year and a half are on weanling/small rats.

Member Comment

11/28/2009 8:44:08 AM

FyreFocks

I thought BCC were bigger than BCI?

Author Comment

11/28/2009 8:45:35 AM

chich

I thought that too.

I pretty much assumed that it wasnt a bcc, otherwise the seller would have known

Member Comment

11/28/2009 12:07:47 PM

Carusima

Sorry, you're right. BCI grow a lot faster than BCC, but ultimately a BCC will outgrow a BCI. BCI's hit 8 feet, BCC's hit 10. Both in some cases bigger.

Member Comment

11/28/2009 12:30:30 PM

wintersreptiles

BCI not inferior but imperator very pretty snake.

Accepted Answer

11/28/2009 5:18:55 PM

Geegmasta

Yeah I don't really know why people would think BCI is inferior to BCC...The only difference is locale. And with differing locales will come differing animals, though most "red tailed boas" are similiar in appearence. They may be referring to the "mutts" of the boa world, and still, they are by no means inferior (as I have had one for 11 years and she's a pretty boa and about 7.5'). Do not bother with ignorant thoughts from ignorant people. Saying that central american boas (BCI) are inferior to say, Pervuian red tails etc (BCC) would be like saying people in North America (Homo sapien americana) are superior those in South America (Homo sapien s.americana...yes I made up the locale names for the point of the story haha). Cultures, looks and behaviors may be a bit different, but we're all still Homo sapiens.

It does look like a nice BCI. Good luck with it! I suggest you pick up the book (if you haven't already), "The Complete Boa Constrictor" as it is a very informative book and gives great information on all the red tailed boa locales. :]

Author Comment

11/28/2009 9:16:16 PM

chich

Definatly, I actually never thought of picking up any book, but Ive heard mention of that book in a fre different places.

you make a really good point about the ignorant thoughts. (Good job with the human locales, lol) I really like how you worded that :)

Member Comment

11/29/2009 7:50:05 AM

abi21491

Looks like a very pretty BCI to me. Has she been to the vet? I don't think too large of a meal would cause that, unless you are feeding her some ridiculously large prey. As for the slow growth, I've had BCI grow extremely fast as babies, and some grow extremely slow, until they get a certain size and then poof they're huge. She could just be a slow grower. I really like her saddles, very unique.

Assisted Answer

11/30/2009 11:03:27 PM

bwaffa

To deviate entirely from your question, regurgitation and slow growth are two common symptoms associated with gastrointestinal parasites. This sort of infection would seem especially likely if your girl is an imported wild-caught or "farm bred" animal (a distinct possibility given the fact that the person who supplied you with this snake wasn't able to specify whether she's a BCC, BCI, or an intergrade). Regurgitations should never be considered "normal" behavior, and I would consider six excessive. I'm with Abi -- take that pretty girl to the vet and see what's up! Good luck.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 11:53:57 PM

abi21491

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