Hey Guys I’m new the community, and I apologize in advance if this question has been beaten to death, I’m having trouble finding a clear answer.
I’m looking to Get a BCI and the IMG is the main source of my attraction. But i tend to gravitate toward BCI’s that have IMG mixed with Hypo or Jungle, Inca, Aztec. lol you get my point haha!…the contrast and patterns are amazing, My question is Do all BCI’s that have IMG turn Jet black and lose their pattern over time?
Is it possible to get a BCI that has IMG in it but that will keep its pattern/contrast forever? If so what trait combos should I be looking for to not end up with just a straight black boa.
Any point in the right direction is appreciated thank you!
-B
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IMGs can be variable in their expression. Some single-gene IMGs will get totally jet black, while others will retain quite a lot of pattern.
If you want your IMG to keep some pattern and contrast, definitely avoid any IMG combos that contain motley and/or anery. Motley and anery are known to frequently create jet black boas when combined with IMG.
Hypo would be a good gene to include, as it will help fight some of the darkening effects of the IMG and help maintain pattern and contrast. It would also be a good idea to talk to the breeder of any snake that catches your eye, ask for pictures of the IMG parent(s), and ask the breeder’s opinion on how dark they think the snake will get based off what they know of the bloodlines involved.
When I got my IMG girl, I wanted a single-gene IMG that would get pretty dark but still maintain a little pattern. The breeder I got my girl from was able to show me a picture of my girl’s 4-year-old sister, and said he expected my girl to look very similar. The boa I liked was super pretty and sweet, and her sister looked like exactly what I wanted, so I purchased her. And I have no regrets, I absolutely adore my boa. So yeah, definitely don’t be afraid to ask breeders for more info on the family lines of a particular snake, as that can usually give you a good idea of how an animal will look when mature.
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I hope you’ll post pictures of whatever you end up getting! We like pictures around here. 
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I for sure appreciated the advice you gave me but after a lot of research and consideration I ran in to this Dark Motley 50% Het Kahl and went with him. I love the fact his pattern will stay for life and this picture does not do him justice in how bright his tail actually is. But here you go as promised. Haha
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He’s gorgeous!! I see why you love his head, his head stamp and the markings on the side of his head are stunning. Nice choice! I hope he settles in well for you.
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So far so good, picked him up from a fed ex hub this morning and he wasn’t anxious and didn’t strike me when I got him out of his bag.
Got him in his enclosure and I’m gonna wait out the week to see how he settles in. He’s a lot different than my ball Python. She usually hides and stays pretty chill.
Him on the other hand has been non stop exploring and climbing the Tree I have in his enclosure. I thought he was stressed. Cause he was just non stop pacing. But now he’s settled and hanging out in his hide now that it’s night time. Here’s hoping that he settles in good and that with a little more handling he’s not as on the cautious side🤞
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Yeah, I’ve noticed that my boa is more active and will rest out in the open more often than the other species I keep (sand boa and blood python). She’s quite a confident snake, and so long as she doesn’t think she’s being fed, she’s super chill and awesome to handle.
Just watch out for the feeding response once he settles in! I thought my blood python had a strong feeding response, but my boa puts her to shame. If I don’t give the boa a gentle boop on the nose with the paper towel roll when I first open her enclosure, she’ll strike first and ask question later. Even if she just ate a few hours ago.
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@jawramik I found that out Wednesday! Haha! he struck the fuzzy rat off my tongs before I even got it half way in to the enclosure
I purchased a hook for that reason. To get it out of food mode. 
I appreciate all the help and insight you give me. Besides the blood python and sand boa what else are you housing?
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Yeah, mine usually doesn’t even give me a chance to do the zombie mouse dance before she snatches it.
I just have the boa, sand boa, and blood python as far as reptiles go. Also have two cats, a chinchilla, and several spiders. I don’t have a ton of space, so as much as I’d love to have 50 snakes, I’m rapidly running out of places to put new animals.
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I have two cats too!! and yeah! There was for sure no Zombie dance hahahaha!
Oh sick I love that, and yeeeah I know the feeling. I want like 100 snakes but no room for them. And I’m about to upgrade their enclosures next year so I’ll have less room. Haha
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I just ordered three new tarantulas, thinking “They don’t need huge enclosures, I totally have enough space!”
Then I was looking at the top of my dresser where I keep my other spiders and…realized it’s a good thing I’ve been buying stackable invert enclosures. The only space I really have left is vertical space.
I’m already going to have to re-organize my whole bedroom to make space for my boa’s adult enclosure. I figure once I do that and get everything set up, I’ll see what else I have space for. There are so many other species I’d love to keep. The struggle is real!
