Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After researching all the records I could I'd say this male of Shannon Brown's I have at my place has got to be the oldest and longest L. ruthveni there is.

He was collected in 1983 by Lloyd Lemke. When he was collected he was an adult (at least 3 years old IMHO).

That would make it at least 32 years of age.
Per serpwidgets he is around 4 feet long (47.8 to 48.0 inches long)

All of the species accounts/descriptions I have read state that they have a lifespan of 15-20 years and 40 inches as the record length. Robert Hansen's site states that Ruthveni can be over a meter in length.
I recall seeing some huge ruthveni back in the 90s. Many were over 40 inches it seems. I wonder why the "record" was never changed?

I have an F3 Tapalpa Ruthveni that is 43 inches long as well.
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Wow! 32 years is awesome, regardless of size, but that's a large Ruthie also.
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Disclaimer: I do keep several snakes in pairs, and some in groups. However I realize that things can go wrong, and I have to keep a close eye on those groups, to be sure they are not being adversely affected by these living conditions. Also if one happens to eat it's cagemate, it is 100% my fault, and I know the risks in advance!

What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

That is really cool that he is such a large "old-timer"!

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

serpentinespecialties.webs.com