Boas are some of the most popular pet snakes, right behindPython was. These reptiles are extremely interesting, beautiful and quite profitable if bred.
While most people are aware of the existence of boa constrictors, they are generally unaware of the fact that there are dozens, if not hundreds, of unique types of boa constrictors due to something called morphology.
So what exactly are boa constrictors?Morphology is a genetic mutation that changes the physical appearance of a boa constrictor, keeping it from the same breed. There are hundreds of different combinations of shapes and forms, resulting in the wide range of boas that exist today.
While we've highlighted 19 basic formats in this post, there's definitely more out there. New forms are constantly being discovered and these forms, in turn, help form new forms.
Index
What is a Morph boa constrictor?
Morphology is a type of boa that has a different color and pattern than what you will most often see in standard boa constrictors.
One thing to note is that a morphism is different from a birth defect, and that difference will be explained later in this post. We'll also point out common snake defects to help identify them more easily.
The scientific reasoning behind the existence of shapes is quite complex, so it will not be covered in detail in this post. However, the concept can be simplified to the existence of mutations.
Every living thing is made up of strands of DNA – a molecule responsible for carrying the instructions for an organism's growth and development.
When a DNA sequence mutates, many different things can happen in that organism. Some mutations cause protein production, while others inhibit protein production.
Mutations that occur in boas, or morphs, affect the snake's natural appearance by changing where and what type of skin pigment is produced. This is the general meaning of the shapes.
When these mutations are present in the stem cells of the snakes' parents, they can be passed on to their offspring and continue for generations. The dominance of these mutations determines whether or not these changes will be visible in the offspring, so it is very important for boa constrictor breeders to consider.
So shape-shifting boas are not genetically inferior versions of standard boas, they are just the same snake with a very different appearance!
What are the different forms of Boas?
Currently, there are dozens of different boa constrictor styles with thousands of combinations between them all. In this post, however, we highlight 19 of the most popular and interesting formats that exist today.
Please note that the prices listed here are estimates only. We calculated these values by looking at the selling price of boas with these genes and as few other genes as possible.
Therefore, you can find boas with these genes selling for a lot more or less, depending on the other genes expressed in them.
good albino
Albino boas lack melanin, resulting in a white to cream colored body and red eyes. This is a recessive gene that often combines with other morphs to create lighter boa constrictors.
Price
$ 100 - $ 500
invertebrate boa
While Albino boas lack pigment, Anery boas simply lack the red color on their bodies. They are born silver with lavender tails, but their saddles and tail turn brown and yellow as they grow.
Price
$ 150 - $ 500
Arabesque Boa
A codominant gene used to create some very interesting shapes. There are usually very strong spots all over the body with black on the head and tail and a light brown underside.
Price
$ 200 - $ 350
Boa of the Aztecs
This codominant gene is a color and pattern mutation. Originally discovered as a pet, the Aztec boa has a very bold pattern and gradient from light to dark on its body.
Price
$ 350 - $ 500
good blood
Blood boas are considered "dwarf boas" as they reach only 5 feet in length. This recessive gene starts out red but darkens with age to a rusty brown color.
Price
$ 500 - $ 600
happy eclipse
Eclipse boas are bred as a combination of Leopard and Colombian Motley genes. They start out lighter and darken with age and have patterns that range from bold to subtle.
Price
$ 1500 - $ 2500
Fire Boa
Fire is a dominant gene, which means they can produce a Super Fire - a completely white snake with black eyes and a red pupil. This shapeshifting enhances whatever form has been created.
Price
US$ 1.000 – US$ 1.500
submelanistic boa
Although these boas lack pigment, they are not albino boas. They just lack melanin to certain degrees. This results in a boa that is less colorful than a "normal" boa and has the codominant Hypo gene.
Price
$ 150 - $ 250
good image
IMG stands for increased melanin gene. Some good high quality IMG's will turn completely black in adulthood, but most will retain at least a faint pattern that is mottled or "shaded".
Price
$ 1500 - $ 2500
good jungle
This boa constrictor came from Sweden as a result of breeding a boa constrictor with an aberrant pattern. They tend to be light brown to dark brown, erratic patterns. This is a codominant gene.
Price
$ 300 - $ 400
Key West bom
There is a lot of variation in Key West boas as their colors and patterns can be influenced by other genes. While they don't look very unique, they tend to be more colorful and "washed out".
Price
US$ 400 – US$ 550
good leopard
Another small boa constrictor that only reaches 5 feet at maturity and is gene recessive. This is a common breeding boa constrictor as it has a unique pattern and incomparable dark coloration.
Price
$ 200 - $ 600
several good
This form got its name because of its resemblance to the Motley corn snake. Varieties are more lavender/silver in color with circles/ovals on the back and no pattern on the side.
Price
$ 200 - $ 250
good dough
Pastel boas tend to have an overall reduction in black pigment. This results in boasting that allows the underlying colors to show up much more prominently, making it a popular reproduction format.
Price
$ 200 - $ 500
nice pink panther
The Pink Panther's goodies are a little shaky. In fact, some good ones are labeled the Pink Panther when they shouldn't raise their price. This morph has a pale pink color and wild pattern.
Price
$ 700 - $ 1500
good snow
Anery and Albino crosses will produce duplicate offspring. These offspring can reproduce together to potentially create a snow boa. Therefore, this morphology is a double recessive gene.
Price
$ 150 - $ 200
sterling boa constrictor
Good sterlings are quite fascinating formations that charge a high price. These beautiful boas tend to be monochromatic, ranging from light brown to a dark brown/gold blend.
Price
$ 2.000 - $ 3.500
Sunglow Boa
Sunbursts are formed by a combination of Albino and Hypo genes. This creates an albino-like shape, but results in greater contrast, clearer markings, and brighter colors.
Price
$ 400 - $ 500
good IPV
This usually refers to good VPI T+. These boas are albinos that can produce brown, gray and red pigments. This is a very desirable morph that has a clear background and bright colors.
Price
US$ 450 – US$ 650
The most desirable boa constrictors
While all existing forms of boa constrictors have interesting characteristics that make them attractive to a wide variety of people, some forms outperform others.
These shapes are more desirable than other shapes due to a myriad of factors. Some of these factors include how young they are, their rarity, and the attractiveness of them and their offspring.
- happy eclipse -Like most other good guys and covets, Eclipse was created just a few years ago. Kevin Blumenthal was the first breeder of this snake and it is still quite a rare sight. Technically, this morph is a Colombian Motley Leopard, but renamed to be less biting. This amazing morph is mostly black with a faint underlying pattern, some lighter highlights near the face/lower body, and a slight rainbow sheen on some specimens. Eclipse is amazing when paired with other morphs or simply kept alone, pushing its price to quite a high.
- good fire -The first morph is another morph that came about some time ago during the 'Princess Diamond Project'. There are two reasons why this morphology is loved by many. Firstly, it vastly enhances whatever form it's created in, making it a great choice for creators looking to start new projects. Furthermore, it is a codominant gene. This allows two fire boas to breed and form a super fire boa, which is a glowing white snake with black eyes and a red pupil.
- IMG Bom -This morphology was accidentally discovered in the mid-2000s and has been a hit ever since. When a boa constrictor has the 'IMG' or melanin-increasing gene, it tends to accumulate melanin and become darker over time. One amazing thing about this morph is that it can be combined with other morphs to create some crazy patterns. For example, an Albino IMG will not have black pigment, but will have enhancement of other pigments. There are still many experiments to be done with this morphology, so it remains a rather expensive boa constrictor.
- Good Sterling -Sterlings are also coveted for their unique appearance and ability to produce unique offspring. This shape is mostly patternless and comes in a variety of different earth tones. As they get older they start to develop some more varied patterns and color schemes, but they are still pretty much patternless. You will see this form appearing more frequently in some very beautiful and very expensive forms for sale because of the effects it has on the offspring.
Regular vs. Cost of the Morph Boa Clamp
In few words,Shapeshifting boas are significantly more expensive than standard boas. In the 1970s-1980s, the good ones were pretty boring and relatively affordable.
You can usually find boas for sale at pet stores and from breeders for under $100. However, the existence and popularization of the forms has certainly changed the way boas are viewed by society.
Despite the fact that basically all morphs behave the same and have the same requirements, they can look extremely different and beautiful. It's that unique look that adds a lot of value to certain styles.
Nowadays you can find regular and healthy boa constrictors around.$ 100. However, there are some boa constrictor styles, such as the sterling and eclipse, that can fetch thousands of dollars.
Some rare and surprising combinations of the most desirable shapes sell for overUS$ 10.000 a US$ 15.000!
However, these excessive amounts are quite uncommon. You'll find that most morphs sell for somewhere between $200 and $800, which isn't cheap, but it's a lot cheaper than the top designers.
Prices also vary depending on each snake's temperament, age, and unique style. Not all goodies are created equal!
No matter which format you decide to go with though, all boa constrictors will cost approximately the same amount of money over their lifetime. Since morphs are mostly superficial differences, there are no differences in their basic needs as living creatures.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention this.many reptile rescuesyou have some beautiful boa that could use a loving home. Please look into them first!
Morphs vs. natural defects
Earlier, it was mentioned that malformations and genetic defects are not the same thing. It's important to know the difference to know when a feature is caused by a morphology and when it's something really problematic.
Morphisms are mutations in a boa constrictor's DNA, resulting in a different physical appearance but maintaining the same basic biology. For the most part, nothing is added or taken away from these boas - they just look different. Birth defects are none of those things.
Genetic defects in boa constrictors result in lost or gained genes, often resulting in a completely different anatomy than a boa constrictor. This can drastically affect your basic functionality and ability to perform everyday tasks.
These defects can severely limit a boa constrictor's survival skills and lead to premature deaths - especially in the wild.
The presence of these defects can make creating boas quite dangerous if you're not sure what you're doing. If you breed two morphs that are incompatible with each other, some dangerous side effects can occur - often producing offspring that die within weeks.
If a pregnant boa constrictor is kept in an enclosure that is not at the correct temperature, birth defects or complete loss of offspring can also occur.
Even if you are a very experienced boa constrictor, these genetic defects can still show up in your snakes. They are quite rare, but they do happen from time to time. However, if you know what to do and what to avoid, you can avoid these devastating defects and grow beautiful, healthy boa constrictors.
Advice for potential boa constrictors
Once you've looked at all the boa styles out there and learned how much they can carry, you might want to start making and selling styles.
Snake breeding is a very complicated and complex process that requires extensive knowledge, care and patience. It's not a business that anyone can jump into and start making a lot of money quickly.
If you intend to become a breeder for monetary gain or simply to create unique goodies for yourself, you should first educate yourself as much as possible.
You need to learn everything about boa constrictors, what their initial cost is, how to meet your needs and what you can expect to earn. This is done through a lot of research, conversations with existing breeders, and some initial testing.
Before starting the breeding process, you need to ensure a safe and healthy environment for any snakes that come into your care.
The average boa constrictor's litter is around 16 babies, with some producing a litter of over 50! Have plenty of secure individual enclosures to house your snakes, and make sure their room is temperature and humidity controlled.
When you get your first boa constrictors you need to keep them as happy and healthy as possible.
It is important to remember that they are living creatures that deserve a healthy and safe environment. Also, healthier and happier boa constrictors tend to have better reproductive success.
When it comes time to create the boa constrictors, don't force them. Excessive assertiveness can lead to excessive stress, which is harmful to boa constrictors and can result in missing the mating window.
Make sure the female boa is ovulating when you introduce the two snakes, as this releases pheromones to tell the male that she is fertile.
There are some specifics you'll want to know about how to mate the two boa constrictors andthis postat Reptiles Magazine shares these details.
Be sure to combine compatible formats with each other to avoid combinations that could cause problems.
You also want to breed good ones that will produce offspring that will command a higher price if you are trying to turn breeding into a business.
FAQs
How many different types of boas are there? ›
What is the rarest boa constrictor? ›Cropan's boa can only be found in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, which composes an 116-square-mile region in São Paulo. It is the rarest type of boa in the New World and possibly on Earth, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
What is the jungle morph in boas? ›The Jungle mutation alters the pattern and color of the boa. These animals have a solid beige background color, a needle shape on their head, and reduced saddles which are aberrant and oddly shaped which extends into their tails.
What is a super sunglow boa? ›A sunglow Boa is a designer morph produced by combining the albino and hypo genes. This combination produces a similar appearance to an albino but the addition of the hypo gene intensifies the colour & reduces the pattern.
What type of boa gets the biggest? ›Boa constrictor occidentalis (Argentine Boa)
occidentalis is from the area from Argentina through Paraguay. These are some of the largest Boas, with females averaging around 10' (3m) long, and males smaller.
- Faint, narrow line down center of head.
- Tan ovals down the back separated by darker saddles.
- Saddles usually have a light spot on each side.
| Rank | Snake | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antiguan Racer | Antigua |
| 2 | St. Lucian Racer | Maria Major, St. Lucian Islands |
| 3 | Trang and Roxanne's Blind Snakes | Thailand |
| 4 | Striped Blind Snake | Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Southern Thailand |
North America's rarest snake, Tantilla oolitica (rim rock crowned snake), was recently spotted in a park in the Florida Keys after a four-year hiatus.
What is a Moonglow boa? ›“Moonglow boa constrictors are designer boa morphs that are white or nearly white. “ This white snake is similar to designer morphs of other species like ball pythons, in that breeders select snakes with specific genetic color and pattern mutations to breed together.
What is a Leopard boa? ›Leopard Boas are one of the smallest maxing out at about 4-5' similar to ball pythons but with a super inquisitive Boa personality. $499.99. SKU. leopard-boa-02.
What is a banana boa? ›
noun. : a boa frequenting bananas. specifically : a moderate-sized snake (Boa imperator) often imported with bunches of bananas.
What is an Onyx boa? ›Onyx is an incomplete dominant mutation originating from Honduran mainland boas. The single gene form (Onyx) is a highly abberrant boa. The Superform (homozygous) is the Super Onyx - a solid black boa.
What is the most colorful boa? ›Rainbow Boa
The most colorful species live in the Brazilian rainforest. Although it is a hard animal to raise in captivity, it is a common pet. It gets its name from the iridescent sheen of its scales, not the actual color.
Rosy Boa
Although temperaments vary from individual to individual, most rosy boas are pretty docile animals, who're disinclined to bite. When you combine these gentle dispositions with the species' small size, rosy boas end up being pretty good pets for beginning snake keepers.
Red-tailed boas are my favorite choice for a first snake, especially for those who prefer a larger pet. They are easy to care for and are generally quite docile.
What is the smallest boa? ›Scientists have identified a tiny new species of dwarf boa living in the Ecuadorian Amazon that even a snake hater could love: These small reptiles are just a foot long.
Why is my boa hissing at me? ›If your adult boa is coiled and hissing at you, however, this means that they are not in the mood to come out of their enclosure today. Respect its wishes, especially if it is a normally docile animal. Even snakes have bad days sometimes. Defensive posture: Note the tight 's' coil of the body and gaped, hissing mouth.
Can you replace laces with boa? ›BREAK A DIAL OR LACE? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED. You can order a free repair kit under The BOA Guarantee and repair your gear at home. The repair kits include replacement laces and dials compatible with your system.
Do boa constrictors recognize their owners? ›Snakes are able to recognise and distinguish between humans and may recognise the scent of their owner as familiar or positive with time. However, snakes are unable to view humans as companions so cannot form a bond with their owner like other pets can.
Do boa constrictors show affection? ›Snakes and other reptiles are not social animals. They do not form communities, have friends, or even nurture their own young. Unlike mammals that can demonstrate complete emotions like love, joy, or even jealousy, snakes do not demonstrate deep feelings like these.
Is a boa constrictor stronger than a python? ›
But they have differences, too. Pythons have one more bone in their head than boas do and some additional teeth, and pythons are found in Africa, Asia, and Australia while boas live on those continents as well as North, Central, and South America.
What is the most expensive snake morph? ›A high-blue morph of a green tree python is likely the most expensive snake to ever be sold. The most expensive snake to ever be sold was likely a high-blue morph of a green tree python.
What is the most exotic snake? ›| Rank | Name of Snake | Venomous |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) | |
| 2 | Rainbow Snake/Eel Moccasin (Farancia erytrogramma) | |
| 3 | Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schegelii) | X |
| 4 | Paradise Flying Snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) |
The Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis) has a venom LD 50 value of 0.053 mg SC (Brown, 1973) and a value of 0.0365 mg SC (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996). According to both studies, it is the second most venomous snake in the world.
What snake has the most human kills? ›The killer of the most people
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined.
One of America's rarest snakes was found in Florida after it choked to death on a giant centipede. Scientists say that the rim rock crowned snake was discovered in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.
What is the rarest snake choke? ›One of America's rarest snakes has been found dead in Florida, having choked on a giant centipede. The Tantilla oolitica, also known as the rim rock crowned snake, was found in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.
Is there a rainbow boa? ›The Brazilian rainbow boa is found in the Amazon River basin, coastal Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and southern Venezuela. A primarily terrestrial boa, the Brazilian rainbow boa lives in humid woodland forests and can sometimes be found in open savannas.
What does a rainbow boa look like? ›Compared to other snakes, the Brazilian rainbow boa is a medium-sized snake. Its color ranges from red to orange to mahogany brown with a dark ring pattern down the dorsal (back) surface and dark spots along the sides. Its scales are iridescent, especially after shedding.
What is a salmon boa? ›Salmon Colombian Red Tail Boas (Boa constrictor imperator) are virtually Hypos, in that they lack varying degrees of melanin (black pigment). However, Salmons are a specific blood strain that shows much more pink/salmon coloring throughout the entire body.
What is a Colombian red tail boa? ›
Colombian Red Tail Boa (Boa constrictor imperator) is a large, heavy-bodied species of snake. It is a member of the Boidae family found in Central America, South America and some islands in the Caribbean.
Are Columbian Red Tail Boas aggressive? ›The reason red tail boas are so popular is due in part to their typically docile temperament. They aren't usually aggressive snakes but even if they aren't upset they can do damage to a person quite easily by constricting (to hang on to someone's hand, neck, or arm) or biting you if they think your hand is food.
How big can a Colombian boa get? ›| Class: | Reptilia |
|---|---|
| Age of maturity: | 18 months – 3 years |
| Size: | Females 7 – 9 ft Males 6 – 8 ft |
| Weight: | Females, the larger sex, usually weight 20 – 30 lbs. |
| Size at birth: | Around 24 in. long |
Rainbow boas are born measuring about 8 to 12 inches. Adults reach an average length of 5 to 6 feet; Females tend to be slightly larger than males in both girth and length.
What does a Colombian rainbow boa look like? ›Colombian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates maurus colombianus)
Colombian rainbow boas (Epicrates maurus colombianus) are slender but strong constrictor-type snakes that typically grow 5-6′ / 1.5-1.8m long. They have vertical pupils, a narrow pointed head, and heat pits on the lips.
Kenyan sand boas are heavy-bodied stout snakes with a blunt head, small eyes, and a thick, short body and tail. Females are larger, reaching length between 26 and 32 inches, while males grow to about 15 inches.
What does a cinnamon ball python look like? ›The cinnamon ball python morph has very little yellow or gold tones and is mostly reddish, dark brown, and tan in color. Cinnamon ball pythons have a “keyhole” pattern with large, rounded brown splotches.
Is there a yellow boa constrictor? ›The Jamaican (Yellow) Boa is endemic to Jamaica - it occurs nowhere else in the world. It is the island's largest native terrestrial predator and, as with all species in the Boidae family, it kills its prey by constriction.
What is a butter ball python? ›The Butter Ball Python is a nice looking snake with soft coloration. Their base color is a caramel brown with soft yellow or gold markings. Black scales often surround the markings which makes the patterning really stand out. The super form of the Butter gene creates a Blue Eyed Leucistic.
What is the name of rainbow boa? ›Epicrates maurus is a species of non-venomous constrictor in the family Boidae, commonly found in the Amazon region of South America. The common name for this species is the brown rainbow boa.
What is the black rainbow boa called? ›
Epicrates cenchria is a boa species endemic to Central and South America. Common names include the rainbow boa and slender boa. The snake has a wider head than neck.
Are Blue Emerald Tree Boas real? ›Emerald tree boas are almost exclusively arboreal and are found in lowland tropical rainforest in the Amazon Basin, in parts of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname and Brazil.
What are the different types of tree boas? ›Red-tailed boas are my favorite choice for a first snake, especially for those who prefer a larger pet. They are easy to care for and are generally quite docile.
What is the difference between an emerald tree boa and an Amazon tree boa? ›Northern Emerald Tree Boas are smaller in size, length and girth, averaging 4-6 feet long. Whereas the Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boas are much thicker and average 7-9 feet in length. The Northern is shiny light green with white lateral markings that show down the back of the snake with a creamy white belly.
How often should I hold my boa? ›To keep your boa comfortable with human interaction, handle it at least 1-2x/week, but no more than 1x/day.
How cold is too cold for a boa? ›Boa Constrictor Temperature
The temperatures in the cool end your boa cage should not drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm side should be 85 degrees, with a hot spot of 90 degrees provided by a heat mat that will provide “belly heat.” Boa constrictors greatly prefer this, so they can coil over the rising heat.
The Common Boa will need high humidity of about 60 - 70% - so a good substrate choice is important as well as misting and possibly the use of foggers. Mist according to the readings of an accurate digital hygrometer to ensure this humidity isn't exceeded, which can become detrimental to the snake.
What is the best enclosure for a boa constrictor? ›Common boa constrictors do best with a large terrestrial vivarium for their enclosure. This is because wood is an excellent insulator of heat and so a wooden vivarium will make it easier to control the crucial temperatures required inside the habitat.
What temperature should a boa constrictor be at night? ›The preferred optimal temperature zone during the day is between 27-29 C (80-85F), with a basking spot up to 35C (95F). Night time lows can be between 21-27C (70-80F). Thermostatically controlled fiberglass heat mats are an excellent way to provide the proper thermal environment.
What is a Guyana boa? ›
Guyana red-tailed boa constrictors are very popular because of their striking colors. The main differences are: Red-tail Boas are typically heavier bodied than Common Boas. Their markings are quite bold, a light skin tone, bright red-tails with black outlining.
What is a ghost boa? ›The Ghost Boa Constrictor is a beautifully colored pink, grey, white and lilac snake. Our Baby Ghost Boa Constrictors for sale are a combination of the Anery and Hypo genes.
Is there a boa that stays small? ›This is what many people mean when they're talking about dwarf boas. These are true boas that stay small because of the ecological niche that they inhabit in the wild. Corn Island boas, Caulkers Cay, Crawl Cay, Belize Mainland, and Hog Island boas are all subgroups of Boa Imperator.