Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would be interested to learn the history of NC temporalis, who first found them, who started breeding the Tyrrell Co. animals, how many other locales are being bred, and how many wild caught snakes have been found. Any takers?

Fieldherper

I can tell you what I've been told.

A pair were collected seperately by two un-named individuals from the same location in south central Tyrrell. Both were acquired by Dan Delator though I'm not sure I remember his last name correctly. Dan subsequently initiated the line from those animals. Dan and Carl Bartlett also later found a gravid female from the same location but the female was nothing special and the neonates did not do well so all were released back to the original location. Others are said to have also collected milks from this location but they have been few and far between. Most Tyrrell coastals on the market today stem from that original pair of animals.

That was my impression, that the most of the captive stock came from 2 animals. I know that locale (I think,) and have hunted it without success. It seems really overgrown. When was the original pair found? I was fortunate enough to find a baby in Northern Tyrrell that was pretty nice. Unfortunately, it wouldn't eat ANYTHING! Do you or anyone else have pics of other WC NC animals? That's a very interesting snake and I hope to turn a few more up in the future.

FH

if this was the old sawdust pile at a certain boat landing off of 94, i know of at least a doz that wre caught there during the time period '78 to 81....were they are ....mine died during my divorce...5 beautiful milks...i'll try to find the pics....the others???......i also found 5 roadcruising on 264 through what is now alligator river refuge....met the same fate..i had given the whole group to a friend to brumate and ...well..they dehydrated...that entire area has been victimized by agriculture...now the big question is elapsoides a triangulum or WHAT???????????????????

I'd love to see pics of some other wc snakes from that area. Sounds like you guys found quite a few there. How large were the wc adults?

FH

Here is a picture of one I caught in May of 2002 in Hyde County, not too far from the penitentiary.

I've just moved from Fort Lewis, Wa. to Virginia Beach, Va.
And from what I've heard around here is that most field herpers around here head north or south. Any areas in NC that you could recommend. Anybody interested in going along for the ride?
Thank you,
Phil

...more so than most nc coastals i see

Here is a ventral shot of the same snake:

and if so, how big is it now? I'd like to see some pics of a large Tyrrell animal, if anyone has any.

FH

>>and if so, how big is it now? I'd like to see some pics of a large Tyrrell animal, if anyone has any.
>>

No unfortunately this snake died in my care less than a year after I collected it. It appeared to be doing fine, eating very well etc. I found it dead in its water bowl on feeding day and don't know why.

Above is a picture of a western KY locale scarlet king I caught with a friend earlier this year. Below is a belly shot.

there have been atleast 6 I know of caught in the last 3 yrs from one spot , which is the same spot that I believe Tony is refering to in South Central Tyrrell County. The sawdust pile off of 94 near a certain boat dock was a huge spot back in the early 80s when there were few people collecting them , I dont think to many people even bred them when they caught them back then , it was more of a wow I got a Tyrrell milk im keeping , instead of man I got to pair this guy up with another wc Tyrrell and I will do anything to get one. Therefore the first cb babies were "most likely" from Dan Delatores breedings. Since then however a few have been wc and bred into that line and some are caught with the intention of starting new lines. I caught a female this year from Tyrrell County which will be paired with a wc male from there for this purpose. There is probably more suitable habitat off of 94 in Tyrrell County than any other locale in NC , Maryland , or Va. I am gonna p[ost a pic of my wc yearling female as well as this pic of a wc male which was not caught by me , but the pic was sent to me by a very reliable source and is one that was caught there this spring.

That's a gorgeous snake. They must be common out there, but the habitat is so tough to hunt. Have other people had much luch with road cruising?

FH

Not Fair. I'm downsizing!

Looks like one of John White's photos.

The photo was sent to me back in April right after the snake was caught. I purchased 1.2 tyrrell county animals as babys this year from Jason Baylin in Pa. which are really nice animals. He has a wc caught adult male that he caught a few yrs back. He also sent me the picture of the one caught this year although I dont think he caught it. I will post pics of my wc female anhd some cb babies and adults when I have time.--Joe

found by me or friends.Locales I am currently either working with or trying to pair up are:
Ocean Co NJ
Camden Co NJ
Burlington Co NJ
St Marys MD
Calvert Co MD
Wicomico Co MD
Chesapeake VA
Currituck Co NC
Tyrrell Co NC
Hyde Co NC
....and a few surprises!

STRETCHx