Boa c. longicauda
"Longtailed Boa" or "Tumbesboa"
(Price & Russo, 1991)
The
scale-count of Boa c. longicauda and Boa c. ortonii is identic.
Therefore, and because of the corresponding distribution areas a number of
taxonomists are convinced, that
Boa c. longicauda und Boa c. ortonii
are identic, or rather that Boa c. longicauda
is a color variant of
Boa c. ortonii.
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Boa c. longicauda Tumbes- or longtailed boa (North Peru) Top - Bloodline |
Distribution: Province Tumbes, Northern Peru
This subspecies was first described by Robert Price and Paul Russo and is hardly known, altough it is one of the most beautiful members of the Boa constrictor family. When we see these animals for the first time, we succumb to the fascination for these marvelous animals.
The primary features are the head-markings. There is a mid-dorsal longitudinal spear-shaped black band, which may bulge laterally at the level of the eyes. The thick pre-ocular stripes are darkgrey or black. Depending on these markings the long-tail boas look like indians with warpaint. There is no other subspecies of Boa constrictor with such clear-cut markings at the head.
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Boa c. longicauda There is no other subspecies of
Boa
constrictor Top - Bloodline
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The assertion of Price and Russo, that Boa c. longicauda has the longest tail of all subspecies of Boa constrictor was refuted, in the mean time, by the american "reptile guru", Philippe de Vosjoli (an expert and enthusiast of this subspecies, just as we are).
Adult females get an average length of about 7ft. The shade of the tumbesboa is very variable.
It reaches from gold-colored over gold-brown to gray. However, the gold colored areas between the tail-spots are found on all specimens.
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Boa c. longicauda gold-brown variation, adult breeding female Top - Bloodline
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The few long-tail boas that exist in the USA are animals confiscated by the American customs and their (few) offspring.
However, it is not advisable to travel in the distribution – area of Boa c. longicauda, as peruvian terrorists are up to mischief in that region.
Now we want to show you the developement of Boa c. longicauda within the first 3 years of life
For this documentation we used the black/white variation of Boa c. longicauda. But this is also applicable for all kind of variations of this beautiful boa.
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Boa c. longicauda
The headmarkings are hardly visible Top - Bloodline
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Boa c. longicauda
The headmarkings have started to turn into black; |
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Boa c. longicauda
The pattern is black as the night. Top - Bloodline
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Boa c. longicauda
The body pattern is still tan, the head Top - Bloodline
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Boa c. longicauda
The whole pattern is black as the night.
Top - Bloodline |
So far we have the largest collection of
Boa c. longicauda
outside the U.S.
