Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Royal Diadem Ratsnake, 2004 female

and I said I wouldn't bring anymore home... hah!
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

I'm looking at this picture and I have to tell you it is not a Royal Diadem S.diadema atriceps. That looks like S. diadem cliffordii.

I have raised All of the available "Diadems" from hatchlings. Even a juvenile "Royal" does not have those head markings.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

>>I'm looking at this picture and I have to tell you it is not a Royal Diadem S.diadema atriceps. That looks like S. diadem cliffordii.
>>
>>I have raised All of the available "Diadems" from hatchlings. Even a juvenile "Royal" does not have those head markings.
>>
>>Frank
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>>"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

That's interesting. I'll keep that in mind and see what I can find about it.
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

>>I'm looking at this picture and I have to tell you it is not a Royal Diadem S.diadema atriceps. That looks like S. diadem cliffordii.
>>
>>I have raised All of the available "Diadems" from hatchlings. Even a juvenile "Royal" does not have those head markings.
>>
>>Frank
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>>"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Here's a link to Prehistoric Pets who says they are Royal Diadem rats. http://www.prehistoricpets.com/viewimage.asp?type=3&img=egypt_rat&n1=3-012 The baby I have does have a bit of a reduced head pattern, but is otherwise similar. She came from East Bay Vivarium.
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

I've kept two types of Diadem Ratsnakes. The specific and subspecific status is subject to some debate but they were what are typically called S. d. cliffordi and S. d. atriceps.

These are noticably different snakes, especially as adults. Unfortunately, both are often sold as Royal Diadems. The mistake is so common nowadays it's become normal. I'm sure that's what happened here.

With all that said, I'm fairly positive you have the smaller form of Spalerosophis - aka Diadem Ratsnake or Clifford's Ratsnake.

Here's a link to what I understand to be the true Royal Diadem:

Royal Diadems (from Hiss-N-Things)

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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

>>I've kept two types of Diadem Ratsnakes. The specific and subspecific status is subject to some debate but they were what are typically called S. d. cliffordi and S. d. atriceps.
>>
>>These are noticably different snakes, especially as adults. Unfortunately, both are often sold as Royal Diadems. The mistake is so common nowadays it's become normal. I'm sure that's what happened here.
>>
>>With all that said, I'm fairly positive you have the smaller form of Spalerosophis - aka Diadem Ratsnake or Clifford's Ratsnake.
>>
>>Here's a link to what I understand to be the true Royal Diadem:
>>
>>
>>Royal Diadems (from Hiss-N-Things)
>>
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>>Current snakes:
>>
>>1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)
>>
>>3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)
>>
>>2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

What do the cliffordi look like as adults? I can't seem to find much information on them.
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My collection and herp photography

www.lowergroundreptiles.net

>>What do the cliffordi look like as adults? I can't seem to find much information on them.

The adults that produced the cliffordi I raised had a tan background with darker spots. It was a fairly regular or repeating pattern.

The atriceps' patten was much more irregular or even non-existent as adults.

Frank/Rearfang will be better at describing the differences between the hatchlings/juveniles.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I just did a google search and came across this post from a British forum. Ironically I exchange e-mails with this guy.

At any rate, this picture shows some adult atriceps with their actual babies.

These look more like my hatchling/juvenile cliffordi than I would have expected. The head markings are different from my cliffordi, however.

I probably should have refrained from posting since I've never worked with hatchling atriceps. I thought I would contribute, though, since I've certainly seen true cliffordi sold as Royal Diadems. This was in adds where both hatchlings and their parents were pictured.

Do you happen to have pictures of the adults of your new specimen?

Royal Diadems

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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Interesting picture indeed Chris. Those shots were of the "whiter Phase" of Royal. Personaly, I have never ran into a live specimen though my book on Pakistan snakes shows that form. Every Royal I have seen offered in this country are of the more common "orange Phase".

Adult cliforfii look EXACTLY like their babies (only larger of course) and exactly like your photo chaoscat.

The Diadem gets it's name from the crown like marking found on the head which is sometimes faint or incomplete. Note that the royal netonates have a much bolder head pattern. Also that the blotches on the dorsum are larger and more rounded. There is also a reduction in the white patterning (X's) which is found between the blotches. Adult Royals (as Chris said)lose their pattern-in many cases completely, and frequently turn an attractive orange.

Also, the shade of brown (body color) your snake is showing is a color common to clifordii but not one I have seen on Royals.

Another factor (though not conclusive) is the lack of black blotches or strawberry color to the head. I am familiar with the royals HISS-and-THINGS produce. their babies often lack the black spots but you can see that they allready show more orange than a clifordii.

A side by side comparrison with a true Royal makes the differences obvious.
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I used to keep a trio of royals......(at that time i was instructed by a local jobber that they were simply egyptions....)

They had looked ecactly like the ones in the pics chris posted....but different

lmao

seriously they did but lighter and less red on the head and neck...i sold the trio about 8 years ago.....whis i still had them....

But mine were the seed of satan.....bite and slap and boy could they eat....sometimes tried to eat each other

good luck with yours

keith
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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.