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Whats the difference in BCI and BCC

Posted By:

loving_exotics

I was curious to what the difference is between Boa constrictor imperator and Boa constrictor constrictor, looking around I have found little things also that BCC cost more money so what is the main difference?


Points:	100
Topics:	Genetics , Knowledge Base
Tags:	Bcc, Bci, Genetics, Identification, Locale, Subspecies
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

12/5/2009 3:41:20 PM

GarbrechtRE

An Bcc is a true red-tailed (columbian) boa, a Bci is a common northern boa, their range is different. Bci range from sothern Mexico down into the northern parts of South America and Bcc are centalized more in columbia....anyone correct me if I'm wrong. If you put a Bcc and Bci next to each other there will be a difference in overall color and patterning, if they are pure bloodlines.

Member Comment

12/5/2009 10:44:27 PM

Jeffriey

If you're asking what the visual difference is BCC have fewer saddles and have peaks, a more pointed head and the tails are clearly more red with darker thicker black outlines. Then there are scale counts differentiating the two.

Here's a thread Aaron posted quite a while back that discusses a bit.

http://www.iherp.com/Answers/ReptileProblem.aspx?Id=2765
Sonja (bka_mam) had a couple of good links when this was asked before but they aren't working anymore.

Assisted Answer

12/5/2009 10:52:49 PM

Jeffriey

Here are a couple of other good links where you can pics too

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/com/com.html

http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/cuttingedgeherpetological/

http://www.surinamboas.com/

Assisted Answer

12/6/2009 12:33:08 AM

magsj387

Get your hands on The Complete Boa Constrictor by Vincent Russo, you'll never want to hear a word on boas again, LOL. If you check out his website http://www.cuttingedgeherp.com/cuttingedgeherpetological/ he's got a great basic synopsis on each type of boa! I couldn't even begin to break it down any better than him.

Member Comment

12/7/2009 9:47:46 PM

Geegmasta

Yeah, the Complete Boa Constrictor is all you need and you will NEVER have another locale issue. And you'll be answering all these questions on locales. Trust me, and Vince Russo hahah

Accepted Answer

12/15/2009 3:51:24 AM

titus

There are very few visual diffrences that can be used, Boas of both sub species are very varible and localities can look very much alike at times. The main real diffrence in the species is scale count, mainly dorsal scale pairs. It's a common thought that BCI and BCC do not share common areas but in columbia they do cross at a few spots with only a small mountain range dividing their areas. BCC commonly comes from Colombia or the surounding sothern area, Peru, Brazil. ex. I would also reccommend H + E Stöckl True Boa Constrictiors as a great book.

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