Shane:

Within the basic mandarin pattern there is quite a bit of variation with respect to color and proportion. Check out the photos on the links I e-mailed to you to see some of the variation. Alot of the variation is geographic (south-eastern versus south-western China, North Vietnam, India, Taiwan) but there is variability even within general areas. And of course, most people can't even get a real answer where the wild caughts they buy really come from. Alot of them show up in the food markets in Hong Kong and no locale data is maintained or even requested by animal dealers.



I've seen a couple of pictures in K.D. Schulz's Ratsnake Monograph of mandarins from Taiwan and they looked different and very nice. I hope you do see them there and while you're there see if you can find the Taiwan subspecies of Elaphe porphyracea (kawakamii). The pictures I've seen of them were really impressive. I think you'll be impressed. If you do go please take lots of pictures!



Mandarins are kind of expensive and you really have to look around to find exactly the appearance you want(if you're as nit-picky as I am!) but I really enjoy working with them. They're a bit of a challenge and don't enjoy being disturbed but they don't take up much space and I think they look great.



Best regards

John

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