What's the hub-bub about Dwarf Boas?

[RioBravoReptiles]

.. (hub-bub is a word, right?)

Dwarfs.... that's the buzz-word these days!

There are Boa that will mature and breed small. Here are some today-pics of my Tarahumara, Mexico boas, some of the very smallest and nicest of the Boa I've seen. These are just great boas!
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Those are full-adults CB 1998, breeders, the female has delivered four healthy litters. They are both about 43" in length. These animals have to be correctly managed. Genetics is certainly a part of the size-puzzle. Temperatures, feeding and other husbandry practice are also very important.

I look with real dismay at attempts by some breeders to bring the genetics of unique animals like this into their other projects.. First is the real potential for the loss of the special bloodline in culture through out-breeding and second, for the number of people who will end up with Boa they don't want when these experiments yield animals not-so-pretty and not-so-Dwarf as hoped.

(Sermon of the day, hey it did come with pics!).

[Jem_Scout]

Amen brother!

Beautiful Boas!

[BWSmith]

Very good points. This was blatently evident with the introduction of "Dwarf Burmese Pythons". As soon as they got here, people immediately starting crossing them with morphs, thus effectively negating the "dwarf" factor.


Now I don't have a problem with outcrossing animals that are not pure locale. If the bloodline is already muddied up, then there is no real harm. I have a ColombianxCentral American female that will never be a pure bloodline so she can breed with whichever male I choose. However, I would not dream of outcrossing my pure Guyanans. Thier blood is about as pure as it can get and i would consider it a travesty to dilute it with wome colombian morph or other locale.

I am become very fond of the smaller locale boas. You really need an availability list on your website

	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).