Author: Jan-Cor Jacobs
Word Count: 1,287

The Steppe Rat Snake is becoming a rare terrarium occupant. That is a pity, since these animals are very nice and easy to keep. Moreover they don’t grow to very large animals, that won’t fit in their housing within a couple of years.

Author: Dave Royans
Word Count: 2,920

Or...
The importance of recording aspects of your snakes’ husbandry and relaying this to other fellow keepers.

The following is a representation of my own personal feelings at the moment on the various methods of conveying husbandry accounts, information and personal experience of keeping the animals we love to keep. It also goes on to explain that the lack of people willing to convey their experiences to others in the written form, results in a little frustration on my part and no doubt others. I don’t claim that anything I say is correct, although obviously I believe it to be, I do realise it’s just my opinion and as such not an absolute. I also realise that, it may change at least slightly over time however it hasn’t really changed for quite a few years now.

Often I use the word ‘we’, where I should have probably more correctly used the word ‘me’. If it helps, think of various lyricists, who have penned songs singing about subject matter outside their experience and personalising it with the first person, or conversely with them distancing something that was personal to them with the third person. It is undoubtedly what I have done here, haven’t we.

Author: Sergei A.Ryabov, Director Exotarium, Oktyabrskaya, 26, 300002 Tula, Russia

Introduction
A medium-sized, but a very interesting species Elaphe persica has a rather limited distribution range: the south-east of Azerbaijan (the Talysh mountains) and the northern part of Iran, adjacent to the southern coast of the Caspian Sea to the north of the mountain system Elburz (Ananjeva et al., 1998).

Author: Stephen R. Goldberg

Department of Biology, Whittier College, Whittier, California 90608, USA.

Keywords: Serpentes, Colubridae, Rhadinea decorata, reproduction, Costa Rica.

The Adorned Graceful Brown Snake Rhadinea decorata (Colubridae) is known from humid broadleaf evergreen forests from southern Mexico to Ecuador; it is active in the daytime and eats mainly Eleutherodactylus frogs and their terrestrial eggs (Savage 2002). Solórzano (2004) reported R. decorata clutch sizes of up to four eggs. The purpose of this paper is to present new information on the reproductive cycle of R. decorata from Costa Rica based on a histological examination of gonadal material from museum specimens. The first information on the timing of the testicular cycle is also presented. Comparisons are made with the timing of testicular cycles of other snakes from Costa Rica as part of an ongoing series of studies on the reproductive biology of snakes from this area.

Author: Dave Royans


Following frequent introductions from a (presumed old) male Elaphe quatuorlineata my younger female (4yrs or so), her appetite seemed a little keener, she seemed to be seeking out a few more meals than I was accustomed to giving her. Soon after she clearly began to take the appearance of a gravid snake, all seemed pretty typical with the eggs being evenly spaced down her body and not overdeveloped. On the 8th August, she completed her pre-lay slough. On the 20th August, she laid a couple of eggs, both appeared to be fertile. However they perished after a week or so. A few days later, she had laid no more, clearly from bumps I could tell that there were more eggs to follow, another four in fact. A secluded nest site was provided for her, which she did frequent and favour most of the time.

Authors: Pierluigi Bombi¹, Luca Luiselli², Massimo Capula³, Daniele Salvi^4
₁ Via Maria Giudice 23, I-00135 Roma, Italy. Corresponding author.
² F.I.Z.V. (Ecology) and Centre of Environmental Studies ‘Demetra s.r.l.’, via Olona 7, I-00198 Roma,
Italy. E-mail: lucamlu@tin.it
³ Museo Civico di Zoologia, via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, I-00197 Roma, Italy.
⁴ Dipartimento di Biologia ambientale, Università Roma Tre, viale Marconi 446, I-00146 Roma, Italy.

Word count: 2,606


Abstract. Predictive models of species distribution may be very useful for understanding actual distribution of elusive species, including several snakes. The southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica) is likely the most elusive snake species of peninsular Italy, and is therefore well-suited for predicting potential distribution studies. In this paper we predict the potential distribution map of this species in Italy by using MAXENT algorithm, that finds the probability distribution of maximum entropy that is constrained by considered ecological parameters. Presence data for Coronella girondica were gotten from CKmap. The potential distribution model of Coronella girondica showed a very good overall performance (AUC = 0.959), and indicated that high suitability areas correspond mainly to Tyrrhenian north and central regions, including Liguria, western Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, and northern Latium. Southern Italian regions were clearly unsuitable for this snake species. Overall, our study revealed that previous distribution maps indicating the occurrence of Coronella girondica in southern Italy and Sicily were poorly reliable. The conservation and management implications of our study are also addressed.

Keywords. Distribution modelling, elusive species, Serpentes, Colubridae, Italy.

Author: Mark Wootten
Word Count: 1144

Introduction

The Tiger Ratsnake (Spilotes pullatus) is also known as the Chicken Eater. It is a large arboreal colubrid found throughout South America. They are reported to exceed 3m but 2.5 is a typical average size for adults. There are several subspecies recognised but I have been unable to find any definitive data regarding these. Most animals seen in the hobby are usually wild caught and come in with other commonly imported South American snakes, such as Emerald Boas, Amazon tree boas etc it is usually very difficult to pinpoint even the country of origin, so specific locale data is rarely available.

Authors: Angelo P. Pernetta¹,²,³, Christopher J. Reading^1
1 Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, CEH Wallingford, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford,
Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, U.K.
² School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 7PX, U.K.
³ Address for correspondence: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, c/o Freshwater Biological Association, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6BB, U.K. Corresponding

Word Count: 1,088

Abstract. We report the capture of two smooth snakes (Coronella austriaca) with melanistic colouration from a site in Dorset. These two individuals constitute the second published report of melanism in smooth snakes from the United Kingdom.

Keywords. Melanism, smooth snake, United Kingdom.

July 2008 Ratsnakes Digest - a complimentary copy for Registered members

Page 2. Exciting Times Ahead - Treasurer
        Welcoming Thoughts - Membership Secretary
Page 3. Looking Forward - Chairman
Page 4. Eggciting Times, When Bad Eggs Come Good
         -Oreocryptophis porphyraceaus coxi - Rob Kool
         -Coelognathus radiatus - Sue Knight
Page 5. Unexpectedly low mitochondrial DNA variation within the Ladder Snake Rhinechis scalaris - Valeria Nulchis et al.
Page 8. Snakes Can’t hear ... Or can they?
Page 9. Breeders Notes - Japanese Forest Ratsnake - Rob Kool
Page 10. Eggztended Incubation in Coelognathus helena - Dave Royans
Page 11. Patronyms of the Pioneer West XIV. Bogertophis subocularis (Brown, 1901), Trans-Pecos Ratsnake - Edward O. Moll and Manny Rubio
Page 15. Reptile Art - Tell Hicks Prints
Page 16. Members Interview - Dusty Rhoads
page 21. Albino Chocolate Pantherophis emoryi - KJ & Kasi Lodrigue / KJUN Snakehaven
Page 22. Outdoor Enclosure for Fox Snakes - Tell Hicks
Page 23. Trinket Snakes Coelognathus helena - Dave Royans & Sue Knight
Page 29. From the Wild - Albino Grey Ratsnake
Page 30. Taxonomy - An Alternative Classification of the New World Ratsnakes (Genus Pantherophis)

Download the Ratsnakes Digest by clicking the link below or right click and save target as.

File Size: 6.46 MB

Author: Sue Knight

Introduction

Two Chinese scientists Wei Guo Du AND Xiang Ji from Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Animal Sciences and Technology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences respectively conducted a series of experiments with Orthriophis taeniurus eggs in the laboratory to examine the effects of incubation temperature on hatching success, embryonic use of energy and hatchling morphology. This report gives an overview of this paper, noting some of the more interesting conclusions that were drawn from their experiments.

Author: Sue Knight From notes supplied through correspondence between Frank Roberts & Graham Seal.

Pre Amble

If you have visited Kingsnake.com during the last few months, you might have already seen the post by Frank Roberts where his Leucistic Texas Ratsnake triple clutched. We contacted Frank about this rare occurrence and he kindly agreed to send us some notes and photo's to share with our membership.

Authors: H. Bandali, M. Buchtova, J. M. Richman & A. S. Tucker

INTRODUCTION:

The egg tooth is a vital structure allowing hatchlings to escape from the egg. In squamate (scaly) retiles the egg tooth is a real tooth that develops within the oral cavity at the top of the upper jaw. Primitive squamates, such as geckos, have two egg teeth, while more advanced squamates, including snakes, have a single medial egg tooth. We have investigated how the single egg tooth develops using two snakes, the python and corn snake, Elaphe guttata, and investigated the relationship between the egg tooth and neighboring premaxillary teeth.

Some observations & breeding of Elaphe quadrivigata
Author: Hans-Georg Prwiwara

I acquired my first Elaphe quadrivirgata in 2005 as hatchlings. The male was very different to the female being a very red in his colouration whereas the female was brown. Adults also vary in colouration varying between dirty green & brown.

Author: Sue Knight, written with notes supplied by Rob Kool.

The appearance of Coelognathus flavolineatus is quiet varied and depends mostly where they originate from. A lot of specimens we see in captivity are from Indonesia and are a dull brown to olive colour with only a faintly visible yellow dorsal stripe as adult. Mainland forms are usually the most attractive, with the Vietnamese being the most colourful and sought after.

Author: Al Winstel

OK, so you’ve just received a baby snake or maybe you’re planning to purchase one at a shop or from a breeder. Probably the most stress free plan is to have the animal’s cage ready and waiting when the animal comes home, or at least plan on purchasing the cage and associated supplies when the juvenile snake is purchased. Luckily, snakes are generally less time consuming to care for than a dog, cat, hamster, parakeet, or many other captive animals. The catch is that it takes more knowledge about the animal to care for the snake since it’s not as adaptable to environmental change as many of the commonly kept warm blooded animals.

Author:  Hans-Georg Prziwara (Georg)

I no longer keep Gonyosoma janseni, but since there is not alot of infomation published for this species, I thought I would share a few notes.

Author: Marc Frevola

If a herper is involved with snakes long enough, sooner or later he or she will find themselves keeping a species that is very reluctant to feed as a hatchling. Whether it be Mountain Kings, Greybands or some other variety of picky serpent, it is a very stressful and trying experience for even the most dedicated keepers. I recently found myself to be the proud poppa of a large clutch of Yellow Tail Cribo hatchlings (Drymarchon corais corais). Having raised other subspecies of Drymarchon such as the Eastern Indigo (D. c. couperi) and Texas Indigos (D. c. erebennus) I didn’t think the YT’s would be any problem. First mistake! Never assume anything when dealing with hatchlings, especially Drymarchon.

Incubation 101 -  The American Colubrids
Author:  Dean Alessandrini

The American snakes that are members of family colubridae are among the most popular snakes kept and bred incaptivity. A few of the more popular genera included within this family are the King and Milksnakes, (genus Lamprpeltis), the Ratsnakes and Cornsnakes (genus Elaphe), and the Bull, Pine and Gopher snakes (genus Pituophis). With a few exceptions, the fertile eggs of these snakes can be successfully incubated in similar fashion. For the purposes of this article, I am going to make the assumption that you have successfully bred your captive colubrid snake, and that you are preparing for her to lay. The methods I will discuss in this article are not intended to be considered the only ones that may be successful, and surely there are those who prefer different methods and have had good results. I will simply discuss the methods that have proven successful for me, and with which I have successfully incubated countless clutches over the years.

Author: Tim Cranwill

Keeping reptiles and amphibians has reached unseen heights of popularity in the past decade. It is a hobby than can be both rewarding and disappointing, profitable and expensive, it can raise the hairs on the back of your neck and make the hairs on your head fall out! It is a hobby driven by passion and its rewards reach far beyond the potential monetary
gain.

More and more, herp keepers are becoming herp breeders. Here are a few rules to follow that can and will help you avoid the common pitfalls most new breeders face at one time or another as you strive to make your breeding dreams come true!

Author: Snake Ranch


Snake egg incubation techniques are usually held very near-and-dear to breeders, who understandably don’t often consider ‘fixing what ain’t broken’, and are loathe to experiment with anything as precious as a clutch of reptile eggs derived from efforts that sometimes span many years. Although there are several variations, the basic process for most breeders is to place their eggs within a closed container – e.g. a plastic tub, with the eggs either nestled into dampened substrate, or suspended over an inch or so of water, and to place that plastic container into a thermostatically controlled box or room. Admittedly some breeders allow brooding pythons to retain possession of their clutches, and with provision of appropriate external conditions, generally have quite good luck producing healthy hatchlings.