Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just came across a photo-gallery featuring the Piebald Persian Ratsnakes.
Boy, they look truly wonderful!

Though I ask myself, if this is a true variation of the species Zamenis persicus (former Elaphe persica).

Following K.D. Schulz' monograph, Persian ratsnakes only occur in the district of Lenkoran (Azerbaijan) and the northern part of Iran.
Now I was pretty stunned when I saw that gallery of the Piebald Persian Ratsnakes, for I couldn't find any information about a piebald variation (e.g. Schulz, KD (1996): A Monograph of the Colubrid Snakes of the Genus Elaphe Fitzinger).

Therefore I'd like to know, if this piebald variation really occurs in nature or is a result of cross breeding in captivity?

Looking forward to your replies

Snakefinger
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1,1 Elaphe dione
1,1 Coelognathus helenus
1,1 Zamenis persicus
- - -
http://home.versanet.de/~j-voelkel/

I think you'd have to figure it's more likely to be a real persicus morph than any other choice. The piebald trait shows up spottily in various species. So finding it is always a possibility. I think it would be extremely dificult to hybridize a pericus with even a closely related ratsnake (longissimus or situla) and expect the result to both look like a persicus and express the piebald trait. And in order to do this you would need a piebald longissimus or situla (I've never heard of any).
And for what reason? Even though the persicus species is a very nice ratsnake if you already had a piebald of a similar species there's no big advantage in having a piebald persicus instead of a piebald longissimus or situla.

But the easiest way to get info on this is to write to Robert Seib. I'm sure he'd tell you about the origin of the trait.
Regards
John

G'day John,

thanks a lot for your remarks. At least there is a possibility that Z. persicus could be hybridized with another species, that is Z. situla, as S. Ryabov proved.
I have contacted Robert, but he didn't know himself. The director of the Tula Exotarium, Russia told me that the piebald variation could indeed occur in nature, though its chances to survive may be very small due to the fact, that they'd become easy victims for predators or get caught by humans who sell them . Another herper, who keeps the piebald variation, confirmed that his amimals are in fact one of the rare aberrations in nature.
I was just wondering, if they are a result of cross-breeding between the light and melanistic morph.

Thanks again

Snakefinger
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1,1 Elaphe dione
1,1 Coelognathus helenus
1,1 Zamenis persicus
- - -
http://home.versanet.de/~j-voelkel/

I think the various color variations in persicus are like the regional color variations you see in japanese quadrivirgata. You can get mixed clutches where some resemble the father and some resemble the mother. But I think the piebald trait is a double recessive like the leucistic trait in texas ratsnakes. That would explain why the trait survives even though it definitely is a deleterious trait.

Nice talking to you
Best regards
John