Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Different herpers get different things from the hobby. Some guys like to keep monster snakes, some like to hunt and take pictures of snakes, some like to keep venomous, some folks love to get their critters to breed.

Over the years I’ve found myself being more interested in getting the critters to breed. So for me, this is one of the highpoints of my herping career. Starting yesterday and continuing on today, and I’m sure for a few more days, my mussurana eggs are starting to hatch.

So far I’ve had 4 come out, 2 with white collars and 2 with orange collars. The collar color is a passing thing as it fades to black rather quickly, but it’s fun to see them come out with some variability.

They also come out pretty tolerant of handling and only showed any displeasure when being sexed. Hopefully all these guys become 7 foot monsters.

Thanks for looking.

Doug T

>>Congrats buddy!

Eric

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>>Different herpers get different things from the hobby. Some guys like to keep monster snakes, some like to hunt and take pictures of snakes, some like to keep venomous, some folks love to get their critters to breed.
>>
>>Over the years I’ve found myself being more interested in getting the critters to breed. So for me, this is one of the highpoints of my herping career. Starting yesterday and continuing on today, and I’m sure for a few more days, my mussurana eggs are starting to hatch.
>>
>>So far I’ve had 4 come out, 2 with white collars and 2 with orange collars. The collar color is a passing thing as it fades to black rather quickly, but it’s fun to see them come out with some variability.
>>
>>They also come out pretty tolerant of handling and only showed any displeasure when being sexed. Hopefully all these guys become 7 foot monsters.
>>
>>Thanks for looking.
>>
>>Doug T
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

Congrats Doug. Definetly a feather in your cap. Glad to see the project come to its fruition. Interesting thing about the collars. Thanks for sharing.

*Cheers*

Fred Albury

Congratulations on your success!!! It's refreshing to see someone who has the same enthusiasm for the "oddball" snakes!!!

.

I LOVE THEM!!!
congratulations!
nazzza

I know you have been working on that project for some time, from rearing the youngsters to adulthood to fighting legislation which would have prevented you taking them this far. It's great to see you have come full circle...

Congratulations, Doug,

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

Thanks everyone for the enthusaism. I've enjoyed working with them a lot. I could probably say I went through more to get to this point with this species than any other snake I've worked with.

It took years of watching the importers lists and then a sharp eye'd Bobby Lee informed me of a clutch that was for sale at Glades Herp. I nabbed a pair for myself. I eventually went to Uruguay, as a side trip on a S.American vacation, and met up with a breeder down there. I secured more hatchlings and discussed breeding... and got to see some monster adults. Now I've got a decent bunch of babies to deal with. Should be fun.

So far I've got hatchlings with faint white collars, bright white collars and bright orange collars. The bellies range from pink, dark red to mostly faded to black. They all change to black with whitish jaws, but it's fun to see some variation in the beginning.

7 have hatched with one snake left to leave it's pipped egg and one that has yet to slice it's egg.

Mussurana care is closely matched to indigo care. Lots of feeding, cleaning, feeding, cleaning, feeding, cleaning...

Thanks again,

Doug T

ps... here's a faint white collared, red belly baby

Mussurana Page

I couldn't agree with you more Doug....that is quite an accomplishment and I know you've worked real hard with that group of mussies. A big well deserved CONGRATS!! Keep the baby pics coming. Rob

>>
>>
>>Different herpers get different things from the hobby. Some guys like to keep monster snakes, some like to hunt and take pictures of snakes, some like to keep venomous, some folks love to get their critters to breed.
>>
>>Over the years I’ve found myself being more interested in getting the critters to breed. So for me, this is one of the highpoints of my herping career. Starting yesterday and continuing on today, and I’m sure for a few more days, my mussurana eggs are starting to hatch.
>>
>>So far I’ve had 4 come out, 2 with white collars and 2 with orange collars. The collar color is a passing thing as it fades to black rather quickly, but it’s fun to see them come out with some variability.
>>
>>They also come out pretty tolerant of handling and only showed any displeasure when being sexed. Hopefully all these guys become 7 foot monsters.
>>
>>Thanks for looking.
>>
>>Doug T
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL