Brazilian BCC

Although Brazil is the largest and most ecologically diverse country located within the natural range of Boa constrictor, boas of Brazilian origin make up the smallest group within the herpetoculture community. Brazilian boa may be inadvertently exported through bordering countries, but all legitimate export ended in the late 80's. When you consider the extreme variability demonstrated by boa constrictor of a very small country like Suriname or Guyana, it is mind boggling and frustrating to imagine how little we know about Brazilian boa constrictor. Currently, there are only a handful of recognized bloodlines that have accepted provenance to Brazil. If it weren't for a handful of Brazilian BCC enthusiasts, these bloodlines would have been lost. Although the Suriname BCC locale is responsible for my initial interest in true redtail boa constrictors, a few glimpses of exceptional Brazilian specimens have driven me to deviate my focus, and develop a passion for these highly underrated race of boa constrictor. I see these beautiful boas as a cherished resource, that could be easily lost to indiscriminate breeding programs and loss of interest due to the rapidly growing morph industry.

I've chosen to take a bidirectional approach to my Brazilian breeding program. Of course selective breeding can produce some undoubtedly amazing specimens incorporating the best of what the few bloodlines have to offer, but I also feel a responsibility to maintain these bloodlines in their undiluted form. My search for new Brazilian stock continues as I constantly strive to better diversify the collection I have.

According to most accounts, the late Lloyd Lemke can be credited with importing the majority of boa constrictors from Brazil.  I’ve been told that the Lemke imports were the basis for the Dyer and Evans bloodline, but I wasn’t able to get any confirmation from either of those breeders.  The prominently known Brazilian BCC bloodlines are the Bessette,  Dyer, Lemke, Hammond(Belem), Rio Bravo(Belem), Sharp,  and the bloodline I call the “West Coast” bloodline. The “West Coast” bloodline is the only source of F1 Brazilian BCC that I know of.  According to anecdotal information I have received, the original pair comes from the Manaus region, and still produces very small litters every few years. I purchased a 2008 female from a friend of the breeder last year, however I was not able to get the breeder’s name or any other more detailed information.  Some of this females littermates were being sold by Prehistoric Pets last year… so I just called it the “West Coast” boa. 

 The Dyer bloodline, particularly the boas produced in 2005, are known for their striking contrast, long red tails, blocky free floating saddles. Eugene Bessette of Ophiological Services has developed a very prominent bloodline as well. I would have to guess that the majority of Brazilian BCC in the US are descendants of the Bessette bloodline. 

 

Dyer x Lemke Bloodline Female

Belem Locality - Rio Bravo Bloodline

Belem Locality - Rio Bravo x Evans Bloodline

Belem Locality - Hammond Bloodline

Bessette Bloodline

West Coast F1 Bloodline

Miller Bloodline - Z and P