Boas and pythons look really similar, so similar in fact, that they are often misidentified. The “true” is added in to distinguish them from common boas (Boa constrictor imperator), which are often erroneously advertised as “red-tailed boas” although they are a separate species. For ease, we’ll refer to Boa constrictor imperator as “common boa” and Boa constrictor constrictor as “true red-tailed boa.”True red-tailed boas tend to have a much lighter background color than “normal” (wild-type) common boas. Despite their large size, Boa constrictors have comparatively small appetites. The boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), also called the red-tailed boa or the common boa, is a species of large, non-venomous, heavy-bodied snake that is frequently kept and bred in captivity. Some of these include:They are the most widespread subspecies of boa constrictor, occurring in most of Central America, the south of Mexico, parts of South America, and many small islands surrounding Central America (such as the Corn Islands).They are very similar to true red-tailed boas, with some noticeable physical differences, which we will examine shortly.Boa constrictor imperators are the most popular boa bred and kept in the pet trade. Adult red-tailed boas commonly attain 9 to 10 feet in length and have been known to reach 13 and 14 feet.Common boas, on the other hand, usually remain 6 to 8 feet long, although they have been known to reach 12 feet in rare circumstances. Common boas tend to have smoother, more rounded saddles.The saddles of a true red-tailed boa have distinct “widow’s peaks” in the middle, making them look almost like the shape of a sideways batman symbol. Boas grab their prey with their sharp teeth and subdue it by squeezing it to death. These are confined to specific geographic locations, and not much has been scientifically documented about them. Pet stores often stock Boa constrictor imperators and mislabel them as red-tailed boas, either out of ignorance or to attach a higher price tag.Normal-colored common boas can sell for as little as $75 each. Red-tailed boas are very pale grey, off-white or cream in color. Morphs are typically more expensive.As well as the two main species of boa constrictor, there are eight species (and many subspecies) of lesser-known boa constrictor. The Guyana/Suriname Bcc are a bit larger, typically 6' - 10'. The boa first strikes at the prey, grabbing it with its teeth; it then proceeds to constrict the prey until death before consuming it whole. They have also been selectively bred for unique colors and patterns, known as “morphs.”If you’re searching for boa constrictors online, Boa constrictor imperators are mainly what you will find. Boa constrictor constrictors are often nicknamed “true red-tailed boas,” due to the very vivid red markings on their tails. While laws vary considerably between different states and countries, you can own several large species of snake as pets. When Guyana re-opened for trade, we had lost the edge, and the Suriname boa was the big thing. However, the tails of common boas tend to be almost a mahogany brown color. I hope that you find this website useful!Snakesforpets.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Boa Constrictor Constrictor: the “True” Red-Tailed BoaWhat’s The Difference Between The Boa Constrictor Imperator and the Common Boa?How to Tell The Difference Between The Common Boa And True Red-Tailed Boa During the breeding season, the female boa emits pheromones from her Boa constrictors are very popular within the exotic pet trade, and have been both captured in the wild and bred in captivity. True red-tailed boas have very vivid red tails that stand out against their paler background color.Juvenile boa constrictors have similar head shapes, but after 1 year, the differences between the two species start to become apparent. However, these markings are not identical in shape. From what I've learned, they're all a red tail boa, but found in different locations, but there are still minor differences between them both visually and possibly the way they're kept. They can be recognized by:Boa constrictors mainly hunt small mammals and birds, and occasionally reptiles such as lizards. Boa constrictors are common in the tropical regions of Central and South America. True red-tailed boas have longer and more pointed snouts than common boas. Other examples of sexual dimorphism in the species include males generally having longer tails to contain the The coloring of boa constrictors can vary greatly depending on the locality. This is because there is some debate between herpetologists as to whether they should be categorized as a subspecies of Boa constrictor, or a separate species altogether.We’ll be referring to them as Boa constrictor imperator as this is how they have been taxonomized, and how they are still referred to in the pet trade. They are famous for their method of killing prey: constricting animals until they die from restricted blood flow.The geographical range of the boa constrictor extends from the southern parts of Mexico, in North America, down to Argentina in South America. Anything sold as a common columbian red tail could get anywhere from 4' - 12'.