Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a eastern worm snake yesterday under an rock with 2 others one was 4 inches, 8 inches and then a 16 inch eastern worm snake!! whats the record is that the record?

Yep, a record according to my field guides. And I do not know who to inform that information to but I am sure someone does on this forum. Just don't use it for bait.

The last edition of Conant's Field Guide lists the record as 13 3/4 inches. I'd contact the biology department at a University or else a herpetologist at a natural history museum. You might want to contact Joseph T. Collins at the Natural History Museum of the University of Kansas (not sure if he is still there). He co-edited the last version of the Field Guide of Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America along with the late Roger Conant. I think any of these sources will know how to document your find, and it should be documented.

Randy
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Firehouse Herps

jcollins@ku.edu
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Firehouse Herps

I want to keep it though i will have pic posted later i hope i guess i will turn it in.

zach

Documenting it with the scientific community does not mean giving it up.
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Firehouse Herps

Randy, most specimens documented, such as new record lengths, are preserved afterwards.

Mike
Michael's Place

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Michael's Place has updated, better caresheets
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
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www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

If the owner does not want his specimen preserved there is no compulsion to do so. His animal can still be documented. Many records have been maintained in live collections, private and public. Many members of the scientific community prefer to maintain record and unusual specimens in a live collection. When the animal reaches the end of its life it can be preserved.
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Firehouse Herps

Yea, for example "baby" the burmese python is the record as of now and she was kept alive and not preserved. I am not sure if she is still alive or not. I think she is though. It was something like 28 feet.
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Justin

Yeah, it would be the record.

Tell you what. Document exactly how long it was the day you caught it, and keep it until it dies. Once it dies, send it to me, and I'll get it written up in Herpetological Review as the new record length. But the specimen will be needed if it is to be documented.

Mike
Michael's Place

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Michael's Place has updated, better caresheets
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake