Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone share with me the history of this species in captivity in the US? Also, how many are in captivity in the US (a guess) and how many are being produced? Thank you - A curious tortoise guy making his way back into the snake world!

RG

Russ,
All the linneaticollis in US collectionns that I'm aware of stem from a cb pair brought in from Mexico to a herp show about 10 years ago. They were acquired by a colleague of mine who raised them and bred them. The female - who has produced most of the eggs, in clutches up to 50 - is about 8' long. When my colleague retired from his university, the female went to Alan Kardon at the San Antonio Zoo. They're very hardy, breed at room temps without brumation. In my experience (I raised several and then sold them) they remain nervous and flighty as adults compared to most Pits.

The lesser seen subspecies, gibsoni, is almost unknown in US collections - I obtained some in Guatemala a few years ago but wasn't able to get the permits to bring them home before my trip there ended.

Craig Stanford

Thanks Craig - That's one of the things I was concerned about. I have a pair and was hoping to get some unrelated hatchlings this year or next. Maybe it won't happen if most or all of the ones we are working with have come from the same female.

RG

Are you saying that no new blood has bean brought in since the mid 80's. Its hard to imagine that no one has any unrelated animals even with the ban on exports from mexico.

On a side note does this mean the deppei are also pretty closely related?

someone needs to get some blood from europe or have they?

Nate

Just to add to what Craig posted.

There are two pairs of founders. Babies were produced two years in a row from both pairs. The four founders are all siblings from a wild bred captive hatched clutch that was legally imported about ten years ago.

The founders did not reproduce until 7 years of age. The original breeder has since sold his collection of lineaticolis and the founders have yet to reproduce again.

There are at least two other collection with founders and Ginter produced half-unrelated specimens this year.

We sold most of the first babies the founder produced. I cannot give you a population estimate as I have reports of some folks having lost one or both of their specimen(s). I believe this because everyone feels the need to keep them cool. We do not. We keep them the same as any other north american colubrid. Room temp of 70's - 80's with a hot spot of 92-94. The snakes do bask all the way to 92F after a recent meal. If they choose this I see no reason not to allow them to do so. Others have different opinions. Your mileage may vary.

After having 14 duds this year we expect babies next summer. We feel we know the problem and will remedy it next brumation.
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Scott exactly what do you feel was the problem that gave you duds this year?