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 #2078072


Happyherp
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 Counting saddles?

i read on this forum onec that you count the saddles of an rtb. now i cant find that thread. can any one tell my what the differance in saddle count means? I own 2 rtbs and will post pics asap {one baby and one kida mid sized}
Also how the heck can you tell if its a male or female? I know some times you can guess with a ball {tail is thicker at the end or vent is closer i beleive? heck not sure on that either.} Just wondering if the males and females have any different markings at all.



09/29/09  12:32am

 #2078124


Bciaddict
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  Message To: Happyherp   In reference to Message Id: 2078072


 Counting saddles?

Sexing is difficult to do just by looking. Once a boas is older sometimes you can tell a male from a female by the tail length and width, but it’s not always easy.

I posted pictures on how to do a saddle count a while ago...

I took this poorly lit Peruvian,



Find where the vent is...

Then count the saddles from the head to the vent, like so...



This boa has 21 saddles.

Amie





09/29/09  06:44am

 #2078351


LizaB2008
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  Message To: Bciaddict   In reference to Message Id: 2078124


 Counting saddles?

I can probe or pop my snakes, but I’ve had training in this so I would not recomend you probe, popping in pretty easy though, for the baby, you won’t be able to tell, for the medium sized one what you do is press backwards toward the tail if it’s a male you should be able to see it’s parts. I would recomend taking it to a breeder or small pet store that specializes in herps, and have them pop it or probe it, because it’s not a good idea for someone that doesn’t know what they are doing to do either. There are no specific marks for males or females, females are often bigger around and longer, thats about the only difference.



09/29/09  05:10pm

 #2079318


Happyherp
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  Message To: LizaB2008   In reference to Message Id: 2078351


 Counting saddles?

ok now on the saddle count how many should i come up with for an rtb? i read that some times they are not rtb at all but a different species? i was told they were rtb...but its a shop so who knows. i really need pics!

works on getting pics by sat lol....cross fingers no ones in shed



10/02/09  12:42am

 #2079361


Bciaddict
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  Message To: Happyherp   In reference to Message Id: 2079318


 Counting saddles?

Well Boa constrictor constrictor (Bcc) should have 15-22 saddles.

The term "true red tail" refers to Bcc. the term was coined long ago to differentiate between Bcc and Bci. Back then Bcc were much more expensive, by saying "red-tail boa" a shop/dealer could get quite a bit more than they could for a "common" (a.k.a. Central American) boa. But there are more and more Bci and Bci x Bcc crosses that are showing up with very red tails. And if they have some high end pastel in there bloodline or a lot of higher end, really clean hypo they can have tails that rival Bcc.

Boa constrictor imperator (Bci) should have 22-30

You’ll notice that there is overlap in the saddle counts. Bci x Bcc crosses could fall in either category.

And with all the morphs and aberrancies that lessen the number of saddles it’s not as reliable of a way to tell with captive bred boas anymore. Unless your boa comes from someone who does not deal in morphs at all, and only has pure imports....

And Boa constrictor amarali will have an average of 22 saddles.
Boa constrictor longicauda should have 19-21 saddles
Boa constrictor orotoni should have 28-31
Boa constrictor occidentalis should have 29-30

Amie








10/02/09  06:44am

 #2079854


Happyherp
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  Message To: Bciaddict   In reference to Message Id: 2079361


 Counting saddles?

cool info. ill try to get some good pics of Link and Midna tonight. im still not real sure on the counting, want to get it right lol. crossing fingers no one is in shed when i go peek in qt room......



10/03/09  01:21pm

 #2081253


Happyherp
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  Message To: Happyherp   In reference to Message Id: 2079854


 Counting saddles?

ok Link wanted no part of me sitting him down. so i got a few face shots and one semi ok tank shot.







and this tiny little thing is Midna. {and omg she bit me the whole 1st 2 weeks home! so much better now.} you can see she is alot darker than Link {and alot smaller lol} I got a nice back view of her. she sits still for once.






those are my newest additions. the rest are pythons. {wich are posted in the python forums if you like to peek}



10/06/09  11:52pm

 #2081443


Happyherp
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  Message To: Happyherp   In reference to Message Id: 2081253


 Counting saddles?

bump...i didnt know if any one relized i added pics lol



10/07/09  02:26pm


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