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What kind of snake?

Langly2112 Nov 07, 2007 03:56 PM

Bought at a herp show by a friend-but they didn't know what it was.
BTW-it's doing fine and eats frogs...

Replies (14)

13lackcat Nov 07, 2007 08:02 PM

I think it's a Bronze Keelback (not sure of the scientific name, but it's of the Dendrelaphis species), it is rearfanged venomous, someone correct me if I'm wrong. Very beautiful snake though.

Langly2112 Nov 07, 2007 09:55 PM

Thank-you! I thought perhaps it might be a rear fang.

is there anywhere to find a photo of these species on the internet?

DMong Nov 07, 2007 09:01 PM

Looks like possibly a Guenther's Green Tree Snake(Dipsodoboa aulica) formerly (Chamaetortus aulicus).

One of four species native to tropical Africa. They feed mainly on frogs.

~Doug
-----
"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Langly2112 Nov 07, 2007 09:51 PM

Thank-you! Is that similar in anyway to the African Bush snake (also which I can't seem to find a Latin Name for)which also eats frogs.

DMong Nov 08, 2007 12:06 AM

I'm not sure if those two are closely related or not.

But the Spotted, and East African Bush Snake are both in the genus Philothamnus, and are from the Northeastern portion of the continent(Zambia, Nairobi, Kenya etc...) if that helps any.

~Doug
-----
"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Langly2112 Nov 08, 2007 10:22 AM

Yes it does help. Thank-you!

chrish Nov 07, 2007 09:01 PM

I agree about it being a species of Dendrelaphis. There are a few similar looking species however, and I couldn't tell from that photo.

I don't understand buying a snake when you don't know what it is. What if it had been highly venomous?
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

dewittg Nov 07, 2007 09:18 PM

>>
>>I don't understand buying a snake when you don't know what it is. What if it had been highly venomous?
>>-----

Or selling a snake when you don't know what it is. . .

Anyway, the snake looks like the one on http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/elegant_bronzeback.htm

deg

Langly2112 Nov 07, 2007 10:02 PM

Thank-you! Yes, that is it!

I'm not really sure why they were selling them as unidentifieds either nor why my friend HAD to buy it.

I did mention he might not want to do that--but......anyway-having had snakes for many more years then my friend-I knew better than to buy a snake without any idea of what it was. I still had the photo so I posted here to find out.

Also-it seems some dealers-not the smart ones I guess--only have the family of the animals they are selling and nothing more or just the common name-he called it a Mexican Tree Snake. *sigh*

Langly2112 Nov 07, 2007 09:41 PM

Thank-you! and I didn't buy the snake-my friend did and it was out being handled. At the Expo he bought it-the venomous snakes are carefully packaged and not allowed to be taken out for any reason.

Greg Longhurst Nov 08, 2007 04:34 AM

What gets me is not so much a guy buying a snake whose identity is unknown, but free-handling the d**n thing before knowing.

~~Greg~~

Langly2112 Nov 08, 2007 10:05 AM

Problem here is that the dealer was handing them to people...so people in general (new herpers and in experienced non-keepers) tend to take it from the dealer without thinking.

I think this a problem as herp shows and expos.

dewittg Nov 08, 2007 06:58 AM

>>Thank-you! and I didn't buy the snake-my friend did and it was out being handled. At the Expo he bought it-the venomous snakes are carefully packaged and not allowed to be taken out for any reason.

If the guy selling it didn't know what it was, then he didn't know whether it was venomous or not. Also, there are a number of rear fang venomous snakes that many treat as harmless. Some, like the False Water Cobra, actually have fairly potent venom but an ineffective delivery system. Every once in a while, the delivery system actually works. . .

deg

Langly2112 Nov 08, 2007 10:02 AM

I can't argue that as I remember how popular the Boomslang was in pet shops a long time ago. I guess I'm giving the dealers and organizers too much credit.

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