Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any idea on who's breeding Aurora House Snakes. I've got a lone male I've been trying to pair up for ages, and can't find a female or even a pair of them. I'm sure there were some down at Daytona, but here in the Northeast, I don't come across them at shows.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Carl

Carl,

Auroras are pretty cool as far as the House Snakes go, but I think you'll be looking for a long time to find a mate. Auroras and all the other various subspecies (I think there's well over half a dozen), are EXTREMELY uncommon in the pet trade, at least in the states. I think I've read where the European pet trade has a wider selection available. However, I'm reasonably sure too that I've also read that the other less common subspecies [ie. every thing NOT L. fuliginosus], may be restricted in terms of imports. They are all far less common than L. fuliginosu and may even be CITIES II, but don't quote me on that. It may also be that L. fuliginosus is the most easily caught and most widespread so the most imported. Also, we're talking about a genera that while very cool among colubrids has not quite caught on yet with general herping public and so we're not likely to see a great variety yet. Keeping looking though, you might get lucky.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois