Reptile & Amphibian Forums

These snakes are doing very well and becoming even more handsome with age. This female has developed the classic yellow with solid black blotching that some of the western population northerns are known for. She is an aggressive feeder and promises to be a key component of our breeding program in the future.

We are now working with a small group of these animals and are continuing efforts to locate additional stock.

Hope you enjoy the photo!

Thanks, Phil

pituophis.org

Phil that's a beautiful Northern. I just looked at the Pituophis site...really nice! Is that your work?
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

that's certainly a different looking n. pine! any idea why the more western populations 'yellow out' like that? looks like it's practically on it's way to evolving into a lineacolltis. lol! thanks again & best wishes w/ the project...

Phil,

Whats your ultimate goal for these animals? Will you be releasing cb offspring at any point in the future ? In any case thats a nice looking snake. Nice to see some pics from you to its been a while.

Later, Scott

Thanks Scott. We hope that at some point this would be a possibility but at this juncture it is only something to think about. We have discussed this with our state herpetologist and there is an interest. This would require a management plan and more genetic material to work with. There is a move to restore more of the natural habitat to native grasslands so there is hope that in time this could become a reality.

Our present goal is to establish a captive line of these animals and to raise public awareness of them. We would like to be able to donate captive bred offspring to educational facilities across the state as well as zoo's. We would like to instill within the people the notion that these snakes are worth saving and to hopefully create a positive mind set to help with conservation efforts.

Thanks, Phil

What's the nature of your LA pine research, now that we're asking?
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V.P.
Austin Herp. Soc.

Hey Jack,

Not much to it. All animals found in East Texas are being collected and will be placed with a few Zoos in the country. The intent is to produce offspring from the animals collected so that offspring can be released back to those locales where the adults originated from at some point in the distant future. I'll post a few pics of all the animals I've found this season when it's colder and not much else is going on.

Later, Scott

Thanks Dan. We can only speculate if there is a biological reason for the difference in coloration between the various populations of melanoleucus. Perhaps it has to do with soil types and the resulting natural selection. The local variation that exists does make this group of snakes even more interesting!

Thanks, Phil

Thanks Dale. Its always nice to get positive feedback on the Pit website. I view this as a group effort as much as anything. Will Bird and I came up with the idea last winter and our friend Jason Holzwirth (BC) created the website itself. What has made the website successful though is the many contributions in the form of articles and locality images from many folks across the nation and beyond.

Thanks again, Phil