Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Not taking into account record sized animals, Ptyas carinatus is the worlds largest colubrid right? I hear 10' is pretty standard for those guys, 9' for Spilotes and Pseustes sulphereus, 8' for the larger Drymarchon, Elaphe taeniura ssp. get pretty large 9' average.
Whats others opinions?
Also what have other people heard for record size of the above mentioned animals?
Nate

not largest. I'm pretty sure Drymarchon hold the title for weight.

I think Ptyas carinatus is the longest colubrid species. I've heard of specimens over twelve feet in length, and not too uncommonly either. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few accounts of specimens up to fifteen feet long. It should be recognized too, that they are consideredOphiophagus mimics, which as we all know, are the longest venomous snake species. Perhaps, there is a connection there.
On the other hand, if carinatus has never been known to attain lengths of fourteen feet or more Spilotes would have to hold the record, as there are well documented examples of fourteen foot Spilotes pullatus. Undoubtedly, carinatus attains the greatest lengths on average.
After those two, I think Pseustes sulphureus could come in third. Eleven foot examples are known to exist, and perhaps they could grow even larger.
Orthriophis sp., or Boiga cynodon may be fourth. I know for a fact that cynodon is the longest of the Boiga, and I remember an account of a twelve foot specimen - though I doubt its validity.

So that's my .02, I hope it provides some more insight.
-----
Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
2.2 Pseustes sulphureus
1.1 Pseustes poecilonotus poecilonotus
1.1 Lystrophis pulcher
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.1 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
2.3 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

i once heard about a 13' yellow tail cribo from a reliable source. wish i cold have seen that thing!

I've heard of that monster too, it was a nice looking yellow head, but died shortly after coming in right? Thats a big one.
Nate

I found a good home for a 10 foot plus P. sulfurus a couple years ago at some zoo I cannot remember its name at the moment? It was not a grand dad snake and looked like it could still go longer. I think Bill has a 10 foot specimen also. And once I measured a 10 foot redtail green rat snake. It was a giant but died days after importation. Think I saw or heard of a bull snake around 124 inches. Yellowtail cribo or pseustes sulfurus or that giant ptyas are all close runners, but yellowtail cribo perhaps wins.

Dan

Dang Dan,
A 10' Gony' thats huge. I was waiting for you to chime in. of the all the cool colubrids you bring in whats the average you see on some of the afformentioned species?
Nate

yeah, bullsnakes also can get huge. i once had a cb80 that was 8'7'' when it suddenly died from RI. he was extremely gentle but i currently have a cb06 crumbley red that's well over 6' already & mean as hell! she's bitten me twice in the face this past year & i think they were both feeding bites. lol! the 3rd time she tried it i was ready & she got the wooden door frame instead. she had her teeth stuck in it for about 20 seconds! she is one nasty piece of bull! can't wait till she's 8 or 9'. :>[