What is a Boa Constrictor Morph? 

Given the huge and growing interest in boa constrictors and snakes and with the tremendous number of imported and captive bred boa constrictors, it seems that there is a new boa “morph” appearing every year or two. But what makes a snake a morph? 
It is universally agreed, for both boa constrictors, ball pythons and any other snakes, that there are two requirements for an unusual snake to be considered a morph.
 
Morph Requirement 1 - The appearance must be clearly and significantly different from a normal (wild type) snake of the same species Boa constrictors are incredibly variable – Hog Island, Corn Island, Columbian, Mexican, Nicaraguan, and so on, all the boas are very different. Some are brightly colored and other others may have different patterns on the head and body.  Some are small and others are larger. These variations, however, are not morphs.  To see what a true morph is, you need to only look at the widely accepted morphs on the Morphs pages.

 

Morph Requirement 2 – The appearance must be an inheritable trait.
Inheritable traits can be simple recessive, co-dominant, and dominant.  This indicates how the genetic trait can be passed to the offspring.

Recessive mutations can only be produced if both the male and female carry at least one gene for the specific trait.  If the trait is only in the Het form (see Boa constrictor Genetic Terms ) it  may not be discovered for many generations.  You will need 2 animals both possessing the trait to see it appear in the visual form.

Co-dominant mutations can be produced when only one of the parents is the gene carrier. A mutation is co-dominant when the gene in the heterozygous form (het form) has a different appearance than in the homozygous form and both appearances are different than normal. Salmon boas and Jungle boas are examples of co-dominant mutations.

Dominant mutations can also be produced when only one of the parents is the gene carrier. A mutation is dominant when the gene in the heterozygous form has the same appearance as in the homozygous form. This appearance is also different than normal. In other words, the two look the same. The only way to tell which is the homozygous is through breeding efforts. Another way to put it is that all offspring from a pairing of a snake with a dominant morph and a normal snake will result in all offspring showing the morph.  Super Salmons are good examples here.