Situla isn't montane. It is a resident of Mediterranean lowlands and foothills. It is cool-adapted because of the northern latitudes and fairly long winters, I believe. I brumate mine 3 to 4 months.



Davidi is very rare because it has not been observed much in its native habitat and very little has been reported from the countries of origin, i.e. n.e. China and North Korea. I don't believe any have ever been imported, but if they ever do they'd be quite pricey because they'd be in great demand at first. Davidi is montane and probably closely related to carinata, which is still included in the Elaphe at this time. Personally, I would put carinata, davidi, and quadrivirgata into a genus of their own.



Conspicillatus is montane also. They are quite cool-adapted because of elevation and high latitude. I kept a pair for awhile, which I got from Rex Knight. They can be kept going from Spring to Fall under fairly cool conditions, if not pushed. Sometimes they go off feed in summer. As far as I know, Rex still works with them and is probably the main breeder in the U.S. I found them fairly easy to raise, but gave them up because they seem to be closely related to mandarina and I couldn't keep both species.



TC

[ Show Entire Thread ]