Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took these photos several days ago, these guys are still active, eagerly feeding.I will get them a brief cool down beginning in mid January. I have been blessed/lucky to have had some success breeding the last several years, I might put off breeding this year (=busy), see how things go...

First one is a male from Eric Richter's bloodlines I've had since he was a hatchling in 2002. I had the hardest time with this one when he was in a large spacious enclosure. Just always on edge and frequently refusing to eat even after I had left the room. I tried everything and hung towels over the front of the enclosure so he couldn't see me. Nothing worked well, so I gave him what he wanted, a big long low tub. Now he eats like a garbage truck, and look at what he likes to hide in, the smallest thing he can fit in.

Second is also a male, he is from the first clutch I hatched out in 2003. He has never been a problem feeder but has the same accomodations and does quite well.

Overall they both have good personalities and are a pleasure to care for. Thanks for looking,

Dave B

GREAT looking snakes dave...hey do you know what parish they hail from,is it bienville,like the vast majority i see?

Yes, I believe that they originate in Bienville parish. Where did your Rapides animals come from ( breeder)?

DaveB

well i thought i had rapides ruthveni,lol....dave after the breeder admitted to me that he introduced bloodlines from another pituophis species,i got rid of those snakes,wanted nothing to do with them...what a shame,those were big,pretty,and very healthy snakes....more of a shame,is that longtime pure ruthveni bloodlines from rapides parish were totally lost from any herpetological studies/projects (or,to a lesser extent,the 'hobby')tainted with hybridization....the true ruthveni i still have are from two unrelated bloodlines.

dave - nice pics - the 04 female I got from you is now approaching 4' and is one of my best feeders, ruthveni-wise (I have 3.3 now). Do you have any babies left ?
Craig Stanford

Hey Craig,
I am glad to hear that she is doing well, that is some good growth! I would love to see some pics of her and the other animals in your collection.
DaveB

I appreciate you posting the La pine pics. I have been wanting to get involved with those for some time but have not yet pulled it together. Maybe in 06! No doubt a very interesting Pit for many reasons.

A pic of one of my Ky locale northerns.

Thanks again, Phil

Phil,
I appreciate you duking it out over on the kingsnake forum, keeping it interesting and I have an appreciation for the locale animals you work with. I need to find the time to do more of that. I have two young boys, when its time they are going to learn to so some field herping.
DaveB

Thanks Dave, glad you found all that discussion interesting over there on the kingsnake forum. I was glad to see FR getting involved and raising some great questions. It may have seemed at times that we were getting on each other pretty hard but I think that to both of us it was in a good natured way. Lots of other folks brought a lot of interesting insights into the conversation as well. Us herpers are opinionated if nothing else lol!

You have much to look forward to! Sharing the outdoor experience with my kids and hopefully inspiring an interest in the world around them has been very rewarding for me. Phil

i'm getting my group up and running ...email me about any surplus...

Hey Bob,
what do you have so far?
DaveB

2.3.....beinville & memphis zoo....looking for more lines to add to the group......