Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This pair of Chinese Twin-spotted Rats (Elaphe bimaculata) just shed, so I paired them up - hoping... The male (darker, smaller one) has never attempted to breed either of two females, in the 4 plus years I've had them, so it was a nice surprise when he went right to work - and the female was receptive! The female is from Terry Cox's blonde line, and he considers her to be "75% blonde" - it is not a recessive mutation. The male was produced by Randy Whittington, and has a nice, classic bimaculata look to him. I have only gotten slugs from my female bimacs in the past, so it would be awesome if I get some good eggs this year. I brumated them a bit different from years past, and I am hoping it will make a difference...

Since the bimacs went for it, I decided to put a pair of South Korean Steppes Rats (Elaphe dione) together. They have not had their post brumation shed yet, but got down to business anyway - they always seem ready, especially when they haven't seen each other for a good while. LOL I have bred these successfully before, but this pairing is still very important to me because I used a different method of brumation - which I am hoping will work out for everything I keep...

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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Sounds good, Toby.

My breeding male has serviced three female bimacs already...LOL. I'm thinking I might get some good eggs this year.

My oldest S. K. dione female isn't ready this year. I'll breed her next year when she is fully mature.

It's supposed to get into the 80's this week, so we'll probably be feeding everything. Good luck with yours....

Terry
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

Hey, Thanks Terry!

I hope you do get some good bimac eggs too - sounds promising.

I've been feeding these guys as much as they will take - which has been a little sporadic, but I'm pretty sure they will really start eating after sloughing...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

>>Hey, Thanks Terry!
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>>I hope you do get some good bimac eggs too - sounds promising.
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>>I've been feeding these guys as much as they will take - which has been a little sporadic, but I'm pretty sure they will really start eating after sloughing...
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>>-Toby Brock
>>Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

We haven't been feeding much here, yet, because it's still been kinda cold at night. Should get some 80's this week though and I'll try getting some food in them.

We should talk this species up with the good folks here whenever we can, 'cus this is a very hardy species and one of the smallest of the ratsnakes. I was just thinking about them today too, because they have such limited range in the Yangzte Basin, especially with the new Three Gorges Dam there. They may disappear someday for all I know.

Cheers...Terry

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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

>>We haven't been feeding much here, yet, because it's still been kinda cold at night. Should get some 80's this week though and I'll try getting some food in them.
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>>We should talk this species up with the good folks here whenever we can, 'cus this is a very hardy species and one of the smallest of the ratsnakes. I was just thinking about them today too, because they have such limited range in the Yangzte Basin, especially with the new Three Gorges Dam there. They may disappear someday for all I know.
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>>Cheers...Terry
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>>Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
>>www.ratsnakehaven.com
>>www.scenicsantaritas.org

I agree with you on the importance of keeping and breeding bimaculata, Terry. They have sort of frustrated me since I've only gotten slugs previously - hopefully this is the year. They are unique little snakes with a bit of an attitude, and pretty and interesting in their own way. I know that Randy Whittington used to breed them, but I don't know if he still is - and I haven't seen him over here in a while. The male in the above pairing is one that he produced and the female is one of your 75% blondes, so I am thinking their offspring should be nice and strong...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Those are really nice Toby!

best of luck with producing some "kids"!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -Serpentine Specialties

Thanks Doug - I can always use some luck!
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Best of luck Mr. Brock!
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

Thank you very much Mr. Sillasen!
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Best of luck Toby. It's good to see someone working with that species. I've wanted a pair of them for a long time.
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Matt Kauffman

Thanks Matt!

Which species are you referring to - bimaculata or dione? Neither are really commonly kept in the U.S. - but there are a few of us working with both species.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Sorry, I was commenting on the bimaculata. I saw a nice trio in the classifieds a while back, but they were snapped up quick.

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Matt Kauffman

>>Sorry, I was commenting on the bimaculata. I saw a nice trio in the classifieds a while back, but they were snapped up quick.
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>>Matt Kauffman

I think I remember seeing those too.

Gotta be careful when buying Twin-spotteds - I remember seeing several ads last year, selling Red-backed "ratsnakes" (Oocatochus rufodorsatus) as bimaculata. I know I sent at least one seller an email notifying them of the mistake - don't remember if they changed it or not.

Are you breedng those situla this year? I am thinking about getting a new young pair of those - as neither I nor a local buddy have been successful with breeding my old pair.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Yes, as a matter of fact they just locked up last night. I also still have the two baby females that they produced last year. I'm hoping to get at least one male this year so I'll have a pair to offer. If you would like me to keep you posted give me an email. This local is easily bred here in the south since they don't need a full hibernation/brumation, just a cooling.
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Matt Kauffman

Great news on the situla lock-up - congrats! I will be emailing you soon.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Hey Matt, I tried sending you an email from this site - but not sure if it went through. I looked for your email address (thought I had it saved, but guess not)...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Very cool I'm raising ladder rat snakes and I'm looking forward to the same success.

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6.7 pituophis c. annectans
1.1 senticolis t. intermedia
1.1 rhinechis scalaris
1.2 lampropeltis m. thayeri
2.1 pantherophis g. guttatus
1.1 lampropeltis t. campbelli

1.1 turbo corns
1.1 jungle corns
1.1 thayeri hybrids (het albino)

Those are cool too. Real pinesnake looking.
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Matt Kauffman

Thanks Ryan!

Very nice Rhinechis - best of luck with them! I have considered those many times, but never got around to getting some. I agree with Matt - they remind me a lot of the Pituophis snakes.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research