2006-11-14 12:30:28 · 8 answers · asked by d33nav 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
They are actually both under the family 'Boidae". They are two distinct sub-families with many species in each sub-family. The main difference between the two sub-familes is that most Boas produce live young and all pythons produce eggs when reproducing. Also, most pythons have heat pits and most boas do not, although there are exceptions.
A Boa Constrictor is one species under the Boa sub-family that includes a number of sub-species. The most common Boa Constrictor is the Boa Constrictor Imperator or Colombian Boa. That shouldn't be confused with a true Redtail Boa which is usually used to name Boa Constrictor Constrictor.
Both pythons and boas can make very good pets depending on which species and more imporantly, which individual you select. Boas range in size from the tiny sand boa (actually classified in some places as a different sub-family) to the largest snake in the world: the Green Anaconda. Pythons also have a huge range in size from the tiny Anthill or Childrens pythons which get to around 2-feet to the Reticulated Python which can get up to 34 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds.
2006-11-14 13:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by xyz_gd 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Note that there is no easy way to tell the difference between a boa and a python. Note that all pythons do lay eggs, and most boas do have live young but there are 3 species of boas that lay eggs. Pythons do not naturally occur in the Americas but are found in USA (particularly Burmese pythons which are common in parts of Southern Florida). Although there are many species of Boas in the Americas they also occur in other parts of the world including Southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, Northern, Central and East Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East, India some Pacific islands and New Guinea (near Australia) . There are skeletal differences, but that is not a practical way to tell the difference, neither is DNA testing. Note that there are many species of pythons and boas, they are not all large and not all look like your typical boa or typical python. Do a google search for boas of the world, or pythons of the world for more detailed information.
2016-03-28 05:54:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference between a Python and a Boa has litle to do with size and temperment.
They are two different species. Boas are from the family Boidae. Unlike most snakes,pythons included, they give birth to live young. Another large factor is they have use of both lungs. Pythons (pythoninae)only have one functinable lung. Boas also have a set of spurs near the cloaca that aid in mating.Pythons have teeth on the premaxilla wich is on the upper jaw that Boas do not.
For more info you can look up bothe family and species on Wikipedia
2006-11-14 13:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by earthpig23 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Same as xyz_gd's answer. Also boa heat pits are between the labial (lip) scales, while python heat pits are within the labial scales and on the snout.
Calabar ground boas are the only egg-laying boas (formerly classified as pythons). All pythons lay eggs.
2006-11-16 14:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by Eric O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mainly size, pythons are very heavy, thick bodied reptiles reaching lengths of nearly 30 feet while boas max out around 15.
2006-11-14 12:35:39 · answer #5 · answered by the shug 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is a lot of difference between the two. Generally Boas are much nicer in temperament. Easier to handle and feed.
2006-11-14 12:36:00 · answer #6 · answered by Young Lady in an old body 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey earthpig... pythons have spurs too ;-)
2006-11-14 20:33:23 · answer #7 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're two different types of snakes you yum yum. However, both use contriction as a means of killing their prey.
2006-11-14 12:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋