Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i know that bullsnakes and yellowtail cribo get to ten feet, is there anything bigger in colubrids?
-----
jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

This question was actually posted a few months back. It seemed to be somewher between snakes of the Genus Pytas and some of the largest Taienura (Asian rat snakes).

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

The Keeled Ratsnake (Ptyas carinatus) has been recorded to at least 375cm (12+ feet) and supposedly can reach four meters (13+ feet).

I don't know if there is any other colubrid documented to over 12 feet?

-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, TX

There was a WC D. corais imported to the U.S. back in the early 80's that was slightly over 12', but that was a rarity.
Have to agree, Ptyas spp. appear to obtain the greatest length among the colubrid family and it's too bad they are rarely available here in the U.S..
I know Dr. Bryan Grieg Frye has maintained Ptyas carinatus in his lab, speaks highly of them too, just keep in mind they harbor a venom gland containing 3FTx venom, a neurotoxin, though I am unaware of any bites which have demonstrated any negative effects on humans.
All in all, I'd have to say the largest colubrid somewhat available here in the U.S. would have to be D. corais (Yellow-tail Cribo)

Best regards,

Jeff

-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I have seen a limited amount of Zaocys d. ( a genus poss synamimous with Pytas) coming in and I have one in my collection. These are reputed to reach 11 ft.

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

I recently found Zaocys dhumnades available, but decided against acquiring them, as my collection of Drymarchon spp. is quickly reaching triple digits, so I needed another large high-metabolism snake like another hole in my head. It was tempting though, as it appears most WC specimens are utilized within the traditional medicine industry of the far east, instead of live export...

Best regards,

Jeff
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I suppose we should amend Spilotes pullatus to the list of lengthy colubrids as well, as I know of a few individuals with specimens topping 11', so they should, at the least, receive an honorable mention..

Jeff
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Spilodes for sure. I forgot. I had one just over 11' many years ago. Great lil snake.

By the way, Ben Siegal has about eight baby Zaocys d. available.

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

whats a zoakys d?

sorry for the spelling
-----
jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

Zaocys dhumanes.

it is a genus of snake that is possibly being absorbed into Pytas (Indian ratsnakes) These are long (7'-10') slender racer like snakes that are found in India and Southern China. They are rarely seen here because there is a huge market for them in China where they chop them up for 'Medicine'.

At pity, because the babies are gorgeous (black with green stripes-Large blood red eyes) The adults are variable but still handsome.

They eat frogs and (luckily) rodents.

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

Thanks Frank,

I saw the add mark had posted regarding the Z. dhumnades, but as I mentioned before, I have enough large high metabolism colubrids already.
I was unaware of any pending or possible changes to the taxonomic status of Zaocys spp.. Is the proposed change in regards to all five species of the genus Zaocys, or Zaocys dhumnades alone? Also, if there is any information to be found online to this regard, I would certianly enjoy taking a look at it, should you be able to point me in the right direction..

Thanks,

Jeff
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Have found next to nothing online. Rom Whittaker's India book lists them under Pytas. (By the way , I highly recommmend getting a copy-EXCELLENT.

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

I have copies of his Reptiles of P.N.G and Survey of Croc resources in P.N.G, but have yet to see his work related to the herpetofauna of India...

Thanks again, Frank,

Jeff
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947