While looking at pics of Paul's new red tail it brought a question to mind that I have pondered before so I thought I would throw it out for discussion.
What purpose does the change in markings serve?
You have the regular boa pattern along the entire length of the snake and then it radically changes. It is almost like they grafted the tail of another species onto the boa.
Thoughts?

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Well Merlin...for my whole 2 cents worth.....I'd say it's to fool predators or its to lure in food. (And that's my story and I'm stickin' to it ) lol

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Some think they can. Some wish they could. Some do.

As i'm not a snake keeper I don't have anything to base this off of other than quick observations and references of other herps.

If the tail ever shakes, or shakes in related species, I would say that it is for attracting prey. There must be something to do with the speed of the vibrations that animals exhibit to lure their prey, but thats a topic in itself. I'm guessing that the color attracts prey as well as the vibration.

If it doens't shake, I would say it is mimicry. Bright colors seem to be a way of poisonous animals advertising their toxicity, certain animals followed suite and developed similar colors.

These are pretty much the only two reasons I can think of that an animal would have a bright pattern, or in this case, a pattern change. If the whole snake was that color seems to me it would stick out like a sore thumb.