Well, let me just say, I'm as guilty as anyone straying from the main theme of a strand; but, I also feel there are many things that help us to understand and describe the ratsnakes we love and their biology, etc.

Let's look at what the forum says is acceptable...

"Welcome to the Asian & European Rat Snakes Forum. Here you may post messages or questions pertaining to all aspects and issues regarding the keeping, breeding, health, and conservation of Asian and European ratsnake species."

I certainly think photos and discussion of ratsnakes, their native lands/habitats, and other snakes that inhabit the same or similar situations, are suitable for our forum. Discussing or posting pics of other kinds of snakes is stretching it a bit, but I firmly believe you don't understand the ecosystem until you know about most of the plants and animals that inhabit that ecosystem. To really know about a species you need to know about its natural history, including sympatric snakes.

I also think its important to know some things about the participants and it helps our understanding of each other as well as making it more fun. So, don't be shy...LOL!

PS: Don did some work in Australia with Dr. Fry and others. I think that's really cool. Dr. Fry has some very interesting perspectives on ratsnakes, including the proposal that some still have some toxic saliva, and the fact that ratsnakes may have evolved from venomous, rear-fanged snakes.

Later...TC

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