I know not many breeders keep this species, Elaphe bimaculata, but they are very interesting snakes and make a hardy pet. We've been trying to create a popular line of bimacs, experimenting with color forms, since about 1996. It doesn't help that they have just about the most powerful musk of any ratsnake, haha, but the variability is really great for a snake with limited range, which will get even smaller once the Yangtze River Project is completed. I'll post some of the variation that has gone into our snakes,so far.



This is a 2004 male that is about 75%, genetically, of the blonde variation, mixed with the common brown. He's from last year's brood. Notice the well defined pattern...



One of our hopes of the future is this 2003 male. He doesn't have the best color, but it will mix well with the blonde phase. He has a nice pattern and temperament and has never refused to eat thawed. He's of the brown phase...



One color variation we haven't mixed into our main line of bimacs, yet, is the silver phase. I've only had one female ever, and she was pretty old. She died with the egg delivery in 2002, and I could only get two babies to hatch from that clutch. She had great color and a reduced number of blotches that were well defined. Her two young, a male and female, are nearly 3 yrs. old, but not ready to breed just yet. This is a 2002 photo of the original female which I wish I still had...



The main color phase I've used in breeding has been the blonde phase. This phase is not supposed to be that rare, but I've been unable to obtain a blonde male. If anyone would like to sell or trade a blonde male, please let me know. This is an old photo of the female, but the best one I have. Sorry for the repost...



This female is full grown at about 36 inches. She eats very well and usually produces 8 eggs, every other year, for us. She also has a great temperament and is not as fiesty as some of the others, rattling tail, etc. I expect we'll get at least one more breeding from her.



If anyone has a color phase I don't have, or would just like to talk bimacs, please let us know. Eventually I'm hoping there'll be some mutations with this species as well. Would like to know more about that albino that's out there somewhere, hint, hint



Thanks for listening, if you made it this far.



TC






-----
Ratsnake Haven...researching ratsnakes since 1988



Ratsnake Haven Group...an information providing list site.

[ Show Entire Thread ]