Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Firstly, what exactly are these snakes classed as? I keep reading various classifications; a floridana locale, a floridana sub sp, a getula sub sp...?? I'm confused lol. I mainly want to know as I'd like to get a male for my female (below) and would prefer to breed her to her own species/locale.

Secondly, how fast do Goinis grow? I have a 2004 female who has always been a great feeder, but as a baby she was underfed by the petshop I got her from (and was there for 6-7 months before I got her) and I believe this has stunted her. She's now between 3-4ft, definite female (probed 2 scales) and eats anything thats thrown her way, but compared to the 6ft florida I had, she seems a little on the small side.

This photo doesn't show her proportions well, but here she is in a 2ft long tub beside my 4ft female cali:

Just a couple more shots cos I love her lol I couldn't ask for a better tempered snake though, she gives my corns a run for their money as she's such a sweetheart.

mtDNA studies seem to indicate that they are their own sub-species. Don't know if buy that but.....

If I read your post correctly a 3.5 year old female at close to 4' is good size I wouldn't worry to much about her being stunted or anything. I bred a female this year at 40" and 2.5 years and she did just fine. The pic is of one of her neonates.

Thanks for that, and gorgeous little hatchling there

Why wouldn't you "buy" that?

Two thing, the sample population was pretty small and some assumptions applied to this study don't seem applicable. In general the conclusion as explained to me just doesn't seem plausible.

Before I start playing with crosses I'd prefer to keep any species as pure as possible, so I'd prefer to know what to look for in a partner for her - a goini, a floridana or does it matter if they're just different locales?

The reason I'm looking into it is because getting sexed goinis is difficult where I am, and they're not cheap either. Neither are floridas for that matter, so it's not like I can just go and buy one from any old petshop/breeder, I'd have to order snakes in and hope for the best with them with little/no guarantee I'm getting what I want.

Most hobbyist consider goini and floridana distinct forms. Crosses between the two are fairly common in the hobby but most people would say if you cross them, then label them as such.
I will see if I can find a link or two that shows the differences in them.