Boa constrictor longicauda
WHERE
These boa as represented in captivity and recognized by the legitimate scientific community occupy Tumbes, Peru in the far northwest portion of that country. This state in Peru is perched on the banks of the Tumbes River. It is believed that the Andes Mountains isolate these boa somewhat from other boa and that they are a truly unique boa worthy of subspecies designation. The link below will yield some basic information about Tumbes, Peru.
This page linked to above has a particularly interesting climate chart. Even casual study of this chart will reveal the temperature and rainfall in this part of the world at different times of the year. While the seasonal fluctuation of temps and rainfall is practically reversed compared to our more northern and temperate climate in the US a very clear pattern of drastically reduced rainfall that coincides with cooler temperatures does take place. Study this closely and you will unerstand why I am such an advocate of seaonality being used in captivity for even those boa not in breeding programs.
APPEARANCE
The long tail boa from Peru as represented in captivity can be a very striking boa. Some examples can also be quite a bit less striking. Few boa can match the contrast on this boa constrictor when viewing exceptional specimens . Top notch examples of this boa have very contrasting colors with deep inky black markings particularly prominent on the face of the boa. They also have a very deeply pigmented dark black and contrasting dorsal pattern. The head is almost unmistakable even when viewed apart from the body of the snake. Some of the most exceptional long tail boa also have a steel blue color to their laterals and/or a nice yellow pattern on the dorsum under their inky black dorsal and tail blotches. There are also more pale and/or faded examples of this boa in captivity. Anerythristic boa were also in those first shipments and they are also represented in captivity. An anerythristic long tail boa that is also of the very darkly pigmented variety is a truly exceptional boa constrictor.
SIZE
The oldest pair in my own possession are quite small growing slower than even other dwarf boa on the same feeding/husbandry routine. This pair also fit my description above of what I and many other keepers consider to be the most attractive variety of long tail boa available in captivity. I also have a pair of anerythristic long tail boa. Those boa are growing faster and putting on size much quicker. They have nearly caught up to the not anerythristic pair despite being two years younger. However I would not be at all surprised if they both eventually level out and reach a similar adult size.
Pair #1 (non anerythristic) when they were very young. You can already see the potential in these youngesters although these boa go through a striking and drastic change as they mature.
Here are some shots of this pair after a bit of growth.
Below are my anerythristic pair when quite young. They have also changed quite a bit and are only getting better with time. More recent and better quality photos of these boa can be found on my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tcreptile