Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Found a paper on-line (see link below) which extends the range of the mandarin ratsnake 970 km farther south into south-central Vietnam (Mount Ngoc Linh on Kon Tum plateau). Apparently the montane environment of this locale is cool enough to accommodate the mandarins even though the lower altitudes below are thoroughly tropical. It's like the montane species in the southwest existing on the summits of mountains only and therefore being separated into islands by the intervening warmer lowlands.

http://www.gli.cas.cz/seh/files/SEH_Abstracts_Final_20-09.pdf

(see page 85 of 135 under title "Herpetofauna of Central Highland: level of endemism and representation of Tonkin-Himalayan and South-Indomalayan elements"

I wonder if these new mandarins look like my viets? Wish there had been pictures.

That is really interesting about the new range. I wonder if there could be an extended range further north or west but there has just been a lack of information. In any case I sure do like that mandarin and that is a really good picture.

Peter VE
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Through physical pain comes spiritual enlightment.
Praise the Cabbage.
Never doubt me!

Peter:
It's hard to say what the actual range is. But if the mandarins are like some other montane species then when they reach the southern (warmer) edge of their range they tend to be restricted to cooler mountain "islands". A topographic map may be a good way to find other locales for the southeast asian side of the mandarin range. Schulz suggests Laos as a possible range extension. Based on the physical differences between viet mandarins and chinese specimens I'd love to see further locales for comparison.
Thanks for the kind words on my poor attempts at photography. One day I'll get a better camera and more practice.

Best regards
John