Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I plan on increasing my efforts on collecting different localities on these two species.

Do any of you know of good guides telling about the different varieties?

At the moment i keep russian dione and bimaculata's of unknown origin. Later this year i will add juvenile dione's from China (two localities, one is red in coloration the other yellow).
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Regards

Jan Grathwohl

Just a picture of one of my bimaculata's... anybody know the locality for this?

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Regards

Jan Grathwohl

This is a picture of some of my dione's (taken by Claus Ilsøe and showing his animals as well)

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Regards

Jan Grathwohl

Jan, Schulz' monograph on the Elaphe ('96) is the most informative resource out there. It might be expensive, but every dedicated ratsnake enthusiast should have this book.

Elaphe bimaculata don't have a very large range. They are found in the foothills of the Yangzte Basin mostly. It's amazing how much variation there is in this species considering. I have three color morphs I'm working with.

In contrast, Elaphe dione has a tremendous range, largest of any Elaphe. They are found from the Ukraine to South Korea. I've had the Ukrainian, the central Chinese, and the South Korean varieties. I think there should be some subspecies at least if not some splitting of new species. The ones from Kazakstan are a good morph, as well as ones from Mongolia and s.e. Siberia also. Good luck locating those and post pics if you do.

Terry

Hi Terry

Thanx for the info.

I off course already have my copy of the Schulz Monograph (as you said, every serious ratsnake keeper should have this in the bookshelf).

I was just wondering if some specific material had been published on this subject.

I sure will post pictures as soon as i get more animals from different localities.
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Regards

Jan Grathwohl