BCI vs BCC

[lemurguy]

I am looking at picking up a boa from a local breeder, I emailed him to ask if he had BCC's or BCI's as well and the response I got is that he has Columbian Boas for $125 cdn, just wondering if that would mean they are BCI sorry if this has been answered but I am a python guy and not real sure on telling the different "redtail's" apart

Thanx

[S-K]

The biggest difference is a B. C. Imperator (BCI) is commonly refered to as a "red tail," but their tail is typically more orange/brown w/black. They will have some red hues and pinks through out their body, but not anything outwardly bright typically.

B. C. Constrictors (BCC) are "true" redtails. They are beautiful animals, with much bolder patterns and brighter coloring than a BCI typically, especially in the tail.

There are also size differences, and some will claim temperment differences.

Truth of it all is they're all magnificent animals, it just comes down to preference.

The "Columbians" you've found are probably BCI/BCC hybrids at best, and are in fact not "true" redtails. BCIs are the most common boa in the pet trade, often called "Columbians" out of some sort of habit I guess, but they can be one of two or three locales. However, they are what most of us recognize as a "Redtail Boa."

There's more I could go on about, but I'll leave it for Neil and Becca

[JHill]

I wish I could remember the link i got informed by, I'm sure someone will pull something up...
But basically from what I have read, it is difficult to find true BCCs, which are true "Red Tails" from Columbia. BCIs are reffered to as red tails and are the common pet store variety. The BCC is found in one specific part of Columbia, whereas BCIs are found throughout Columbia.
If he is a breeder, he should know the difference and be able to tell you the difference, or at least know what he has. If he can't then I would assume they are BCIs. I'm not sure what Cdn translates into US dollar anymore, but a baby BCI can be purchased for $75 USD or thereabouts. Adults go for a little more.
I hope I didn't mix up my info and helped you out.

[lemurguy]

Thank you very much I think that clears it up, I heard there is a huge size difference between the two, um I think on this link here
http://members.aol.com/dnmaaa/1st/commonredtail.html
so was unsure of which I was dealing with I think it is the BCC that I would really like (size wise) but cant seem to find any here in BC

Thanx

[JHill]

Probably easiest/best thing to do if he can't tell you which, is to have him send you pics, and then compare them to pics on the internet. Such as these pics show a BCC. The big visual difference is in the tail. Just compare these pics to the pics the breeder sends you.

[S-K]

For reference, a random BCC off the net:


and a random BCI:

[rebeccaej]

Columbians are BCI.

BCC are the "true" redtail, but they are more expensive, at least $200 USD, and probably significantly more in Canada where there might be a smaller supply of them and fewer people breeding them.

There is a size difference, but it isn't too huge. The difference between a nine foot snake and a twelve foot snake is not too big, and might only result in ten or fifteen pounds of difference. There is slight attitude difference, with BCC's being a bit more snappy as babies and a little more jumpy as adults.

As a first time boa owner, I recommend going with the BCI (Columbian). They are docile beyond belief and are really fun snakes to have around. While they do get big, they are easy to handle, and even an older child could handle one without too much help.

[lemurguy]

It looks to me like the BCC has alot more red in him than the bci, both nice looking snakes though, I am hopefully going to the breeders next week guess I will see then, I got my BP from the same guy and am very happy with him so hoping his boas are as nice, thanx for all the help.

[S-K]

Thank you, Becca, for saying what I was trying to say in many fewer/less confusing words

[S-K]

It looks to me like the BCC has alot more red in him than the bci, both nice looking snakes though, I am hopefully going to the breeders next week guess I will see then, I got my BP from the same guy and am very happy with him so hoping his boas are as nice, thanx for all the help.

That's the main difference between the two is the color.

[lemurguy]

The breeder just got back to me and his are BCI, but he does have some very nice morphs so I guess the next step will be to post next week with what I end up coming home with lol, unfortunatly I was prepared to pay twice what he has his for (from looking at the local rep shop) so now have to convince myself not to get 1.1 lol

[S-K]

The breeder just got back to me and his are BCI, but he does have some very nice morphs so I guess the next step will be to post next week with what I end up coming home with lol, unfortunatly I was prepared to pay twice what he has his for (from looking at the local rep shop) so now have to convince myself not to get 1.1 lol

Just do it ^_~

[AlexSmith]

Columbians are BCI.

BCC are the "true" redtail, but they are more expensive, at least $200 USD, and probably significantly more in Canada where there might be a smaller supply of them and fewer people breeding them.

There is a size difference, but it isn't too huge. The difference between a nine foot snake and a twelve foot snake is not too big, and might only result in ten or fifteen pounds of difference. There is slight attitude difference, with BCC's being a bit more snappy as babies and a little more jumpy as adults.

As a first time boa owner, I recommend going with the BCI (Columbian). They are docile beyond belief and are really fun snakes to have around. While they do get big, they are easy to handle, and even an older child could handle one without too much help.

Colombians can also be BCC, I think.

[rebeccaej]

An actual Columbian Boa Constrictor is always a BCI. There are, sometimes BCC's sold as Columbians, however, because they are imported from Columbia. In cases like this, the BCC's are imported to Columbia, then imported to America from Columbia. As most people who catch the boas have no idea about taxonomy, they just call them Columbians. But they aren't, because "Columbian" doesn't necessarily mean "from Columbia and Columbia only", but it is a locality (think sub subspecies, lol) that includes Columbia and surrounding areas.

But, by definition, "Columbians" that we know in the pet trade are BCI's.

There are however, speculations suggesting that some BCC's may have migrated to Columbia and some people will claim that there are true Columbian BCC's. They easily cost a thousand dollars because of their rarity. Also because of their rarity, it is highly probably that they do not, in fact, exist, but are incorrectly labeled snakes most of the time, or crosses of other BCC localities that, like the "Florida burms", do not actually occur naturally there but are brought by humans.

At any rate, somebody buying a Columbian from a local breeder can bet pretty much anything that they are getting a BCI.

I also think that is the most times I have ever said "Columbia" at once.

[AlexSmith]

An actual Columbian Boa Constrictor is always a BCI. There are, sometimes BCC's sold as Columbians, however, because they are imported from Columbia. In cases like this, the BCC's are imported to Columbia, then imported to America from Columbia. As most people who catch the boas have no idea about taxonomy, they just call them Columbians. But they aren't, because "Columbian" doesn't necessarily mean "from Columbia and Columbia only", but it is a locality (think sub subspecies, lol) that includes Columbia and surrounding areas.

But, by definition, "Columbians" that we know in the pet trade are BCI's.

There are however, speculations suggesting that some BCC's may have migrated to Columbia and some people will claim that there are true Columbian BCC's. They easily cost a thousand dollars because of their rarity. Also because of their rarity, it is highly probably that they do not, in fact, exist, but are incorrectly labeled snakes most of the time, or crosses of other BCC localities that, like the "Florida burms", do not actually occur naturally there but are brought by humans.

At any rate, somebody buying a Columbian from a local breeder can bet pretty much anything that they are getting a BCI.

I also think that is the most times I have ever said "Columbia" at once.

Probably the most anyone ever has

I tried looking it up and I think you're right. I don't remember where I saw the stuff about Colombian BCC's .