Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been noticing and hearing that there a number of Upstaters that keep HOT snakes. I think that maybe it is time that we start meeting each other, either over the internet or in person. I've been here 3 years and have yet to meet anyone. As you know the number of people who keep HOT snakes is relatively low, and somewhat exclusive (due to the nature of the animals, of course). What I am suggesting is that we start networking, trading tips, seeing what kind of anilmals others are working with. Of course this doesn't have to exclude Downstate New Yorkers, or those from surrounding states, or even those who don't keep HOTS. I myself have had Taylor's cantils, Southern copperheads and Trans-Pecos copperheads born in the last week, so if people would like to talk about captive propogation or other topics I would be intersted. Anyway, I hope to hear from whoever is out there, Alex

my email: occipital1968@yahoo.com

I agree. Here are my thoughts regarding this. I have been a member for several years of the Upstate Herpetological Association. For years, this was a terrific organization(and still is) but in recent years, we've seen a lack of participation for several reasons(decline in the herp hobby, few people want to be bothered/only interested in certain species, etc). While, UHA allowed venomous herps, there are less than a handful of individuals in the organization that actually work with hots, therefore, after serving 3 years as VP, I too, scaled back my involvement to concentrate on other things.

With the pending legislation, I think it is a good time to start an informal group (maybe coordinate our efforts). I had even queried the idea with another hot-keeper in Pittsburgh about beginning a NE Hot Herp Society as a possible sister-org to the SHHS. This pending bill is gonna be close to passing soon, and it may well make it.

I'd be interested in helping organize a bit(or at least maintaining a database of keepers). I have a good relationship with the DEC and it would benefit hot-keepers by keeping it, and assisting them in any way possible too. They, to this point, have been very amicable with the venomous regs/permits, and our cooperation is the least we could do. Remember, if this bill passes, they are stuck with enforcing yet another un-enforceable regulation---We all see how well that Cell-phone law is being enforced (If I had a nickel for every knit-wit I saw yapping on cell phones, I'd quit my day job!)

I've often wanted to query DEC for a list of those who have VRI's simply so I knew who can legally keep stuff and which species for sale purposes. I would suggest setting up a private discussion group(Yahoogroups) as some keepers might be nervous about divulging which species they keep.

Matt

Well Matt, this is a start. The yahoogroups idea will probably work, I'll look into it. We'll give people some time to respond, then maybe we can set up some kind of informal meeting to see what we can get done. I know everyone is busy and setting time aside will be difficult, but I think we can get something going. I'll be in touch after we see how things are turning out in this forum. If nothing else, we can take the 'if you build it, they will come" approach and see what happens. Alex

Alex: What was the gestation period for your Taylor's? Just curious..mine took what seemed like an extremely long time.

~~Greg~~

This female was bred by a friend and then purchased by me, but in the past I have had cantils go anywhere between 4 and 5 months, and I think this female fell in there also. I'll check my records when I get a chance and give you a definitive answer, Alex