Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do we have good data that the so-called dwarf indigos - with the sharply tapered tails - cannot succesfully reproduce, or is that based on just a small sample ? Have such animals died during egg-laying. And are males never dwarfed in the same way ?

Yes male male can be this dwarf way. I got a male like this sold to me as a "perfect" snake.

Whom did you buy the snake from?

I have two dwarf Drys residing within my collection, a D. couperi and a D. m erebennus. However, neither of teh specimens harbor the posterior taper I have seen in other speciemns of dimunitive size. I have no intention of breeding the dwarf specimens and use them for educational purposes only. Also, I do not believe a dwarf female specimen would survive oviposition, nor would I wish to see the genetics of such specimens enter the mainstream, should the trait indeed be of genetic origins...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

This is the first I've heard of a dwarf trait in Indigos. Could this trait be a survival mode for periods when large size is selected against? I wonder if the wild population may not be facing this exact kind of pressure today.
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1.1 Creamsicle Cornsakes
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake

I have not encountered a wild dwarf D. couperi, but I have encountered a dwarf D. m erebennus in teh wild and I believe Dr. G. has too, if memory serves me correctly.
There are many conditions known to be at the root of dwarfism and pin-pointing the exact nature of such, in an individual specimen or population, is very difficult...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Jeff - interesting. I had assumed this was a developmental defect. If it's genetic, then by all means we shouldn't try to breed them, esp. with such a limited couperi gene pool in captivity. If it's developmental, then of course the males would be valuable even if it affects females.

Do you know if it also occurs in corais ?

I'm afraid the only thing the male would be good for is a midnight snack!

Eric
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

I currently have a deposite on an 05 male eastern. Permits should be on there way soon (I hope). This eastern has a small tail also. From the top, he looks normal but from the side, the tail really tapers quickly, right at the vent. I'm told that it probes male. The seller was up front and I saw pictures. Is it possible that this is a "dwarf" trait?
I was kinda hopeing to raise up a 7' monster (with a slightly funky tail). But if it's on the small end, thats OK too.
Opinions? dwarf trait or not?
Thanks
Steve