The Jungle morph was first established by Lars Brändle in Sweden. He discovered it after acquiring a large boa with a zig-zag pattern from a zoo. When bred to a normal male, half of the offspring displayed unusual patterns, while the other half appeared normal. The normal offspring did not produce anything unusual in future breedings, but the zig-zag patterned offspring, when bred together, produced even more extreme striping.
It’s important to note that:
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Not all Jungle boas have a zig-zag pattern.
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Not all boas with a zig-zag pattern are Jungles.
Defining Features of the Jungle Morph
Jungle boas typically exhibit the following characteristics:
- Head Markings – The spear marking on the head is often broken or has holes.
- Eye Colour – Eyes have a pinkish hue, with a marking resembling an eyebrow above them.
- Body Pattern – Clean, brightly coloured patterning. Saddles often appear more cloud-like with thick black outlines and may contain holes.
- Side Patterns – Usually pinkish with a row of small dots along the sides.
- Striping Variations – Some Jungles exhibit an extreme zig-zag stripe along their back.
Popular Jungle Morph Combinations
Jungle boas can enhance certain morphs, while others may not show as much contrast:
- Hypo Jungle – Creates a lighter-colored boa with even fewer markings than a standard Hypomelanistic boa.
- Sunglow Jungle (T+ and T-) – Often called “Junglows,” these boas display cleaner patterns and enhanced colours, making Sunglow variations even more vibrant.
- Blood Jungle – Adds intensity and contrast, making Blood boas even more visually striking.
Super Jungle Boas
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Super Jungle boas (homozygous for the Jungle gene) can be difficult to identify within a clutch.
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They typically have the least markings and the cleanest sides.
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Though they take longer to mature for breeding, they will produce 100% Jungle offspring when bred.
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Some seem to have digestive issues.
Why Work with Jungle Boas?
Enhances colour intensity
Creates cleaner, brighter patterns
Pairs well with certain morphs like Motley, Sunglow and Blood
The Jungle gene is a great addition to breeding projects, particularly for those looking to create bold patterns and high-contrast boas.
