Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! This is in response to Thamnophile's post down below concerning the distribution of Aesculapian rat snakes and the possibility that the Romans established colonies in the northern portions of their range. I've heard of this theory for years now but can't seem to find a distribution map anywhere on the 'net. Can someone point me to a map that shows the disjunct populations?
Also...While researching this project, I discovered that a population of these snakes has established itself in Wales! (Apparently from escaped captives in the 1970's) I found a BBC article from 2006 when they finally captured the first one on film. I didn't save the link so you'll have to Google "BBC", etc. Anyone else know about this? (And where Else these snakes may have been established elsewhere in the world??)
And last of all: This photo is from an old National Geographic magazine. (1990-2004?) It relates to a religious festival somewhere in Europe with Snakes as the main event! Thats all I remember. (I lost the issue I had) Thamnophile...You may want to find this issue and check it out. At first I thought the photo had Aesculapian Snakes, but these look more like 4-Lined Rats) ???
Anyway...Keep me up-dated if you find any more info on the Romans and their escaped 'pets' ! I like the idea of it and hope someone can make a connection with this and "that good ol time religion"!!! TJ.

Southern Minnesota Biological Survey

In Schulz's Monograph he has a good distribution map of longissima. He also includes fossil finds and extinct disjunct populations. Although there are a few documented introduced locales he is of the opinion that the disjuct populations in Germany are the result of natural forces. He also has a short section on Man and Ratsnakes that includes that Italian saint day that includes draping snakes over the saint's statue. All in all, a very valuable book.

Of course he could be wrong about the disjoint populations being natural. The story about the legions carrying the ratsnakes is pretty widespread.

The population in the British Isles is the result, I believe, of escapes from a local zoo population (although that's only what I've read elsewhere and isn't verified by me).

I work with a German locale of longissimus. They are very interesting ratsnakes and (I think) very cool looking. Their link to the demigod Asclepios is of course an interesting fact but at no time have I felt that contact with them has given me divine healing powers. In fact several snakes have died in my snake room over the last four years since I received the longissima and not one of them has been resurrected while in proximity to the asclediads.

Best regards
John

"Their link to the demigod Asclepios is of course an interesting fact but at no time have I felt that contact with them has given me divine healing powers. In fact several snakes have died in my snake room over the last four years since I received the longissima and not one of them has been resurrected while in proximity to the asclediads.
"
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Alright, John....
Very cool animals...

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Regards, Bill McGighan

>>Alright, John....
>>Very cool animals...
>>
>>
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>>Regards, Bill McGighan

Thanks Bill. I'm hoping I can spread them around so they'll still be around in the US through the next reptile trough that seems to be starting.

John

Good stuff TJ.
I enjoy searching this site from our good friends in the UK,
http://www.ratsnakefoundation.org/modules/ratmap/
Of course, scroll down to Zamenis longissimus.
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A Roman Herper….
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Not very clear young one from France.
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DOR (Dead on Road) Warning
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DOR Adult from France
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Regards, Bill McGighan

There are two established populations that I know of in the UK. The one in Wales is at Colwyn Bay in and around the Welsh Mountain Zoo where I believe they have been studied by Wolfgang Wuster and his students at the nearby Bangor University. The second is along a canal embankment at the back of London Zoo.
Graham.
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30 Snakes :
Corns, Milks, Kings, American Rats, Asian Rats, Boa, Diadem
www.ratsnakefoundation.org

Could this be it?

www.easier.com/view/Travel/Attractions_and_Events/article-213939.html
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Diego

SWCHR

>>I've heard of this theory for years now but can't seem to find a distribution map anywhere on the 'net. Can someone point me to a map that shows the disjunct populations?

Concerning the distribution of longissimus in Europe, I think you might find this paper interesting it lists all known isolated populations as well as their main range in Europe

Action Plan for the Conservation of the Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) in Europe by Paul Edgar and David R. Bird

Action Plan Download (PDF)

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The Ratsnake Foundation Online Society