Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome back Don.Nice to see I'm missed, and nice to see new "faces".
I still spend at least 2 hours a day working on my collection. This is my first year any of my exotic stuff is breeding, I wasn't expecing anything, so I'm pretty happy.

This has been a very interesting year, for herping, I haven't been out too much but have some friends that have, and had some interesting finds.
Not only local snakes but also populations of some exotic species are showing up in the wild, not only adults but neonates as well, I don't want to make a big noise about this, as I'm breeding exotics and would hate to contribute to a ban on them. I find it very interesting that TWN is so easy for exotics to find foot hold. Bermese pythons were the first to be noticed, balls second, kings, corns and now a population of King cobras, this has realy got my attention, as far as I know it's isolated to a section of the north cost, 2 animals have been found a yerling and a neonate both by one person. This news is new, I don't know the person that fond them, nor have I seen the animals, but the info came from a reliable source, and have been invited on a hunt for them next week end weather permiting.
Craig

Craig:
That's interesting about the exotics getting established. King cobras are a bit more worrisome than burms showing up. But maybe the native fauna already includes cobras. Nice to see you posting again here. Please post any photos from your upcoming field trip.

Best regards
John

Hi Craig

Welcome back to the forums, congratulations on your breeding successes, and look forward to seeing any field herping photo's and information that you wish to share from your trips.

I think I remember reports of black mambas showing up in florida in the wild as well as burmese in the evergaldes. I'm pretty sure there's a website out there documenting all non native species in different parts of the world .. if I ever come across it again I'll post the link.

Sue x
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Good to see you back Craig. Good luck in the field, and let us know how you do.

Interesting about all of the exotics; seems strange that they are all coming from the same area.......is there a commercial dealer in that area? Florida has a lot of exotic dealers, and there are all sorts of exotics that turn up, especially after hurricanes, but most of them don't establish viable populations.

One that has established very well is the Burmese Python. Of course, a big contributing factor to that is the nature of the snake. Most people buy a cute, cheap baby, and then when it's six feet long the next year, they release them into the Everglades. Since they're big, the press is all over it. There are plenty of smaller, established exotics all over south FL though. If a venomous species gets established, it will surely be national news, and there will be a rush to ban exotics all over the country.......even worse than it already is.

Shane
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Lifelist

Shane:
I think you're right about what would happen if a venomous exotic takes up shop in the 'glades. If a breeding population of some kind of cobra shows up in Florida we'll be looking at a backlash that could extend to all exotics. One exotic that I'd enjoy seeing in Florida is the old world chameleons. I've read that they have survived locally as escapees. That seems like an exotic that I could tolerate.

Regards
John

Let you guys ponder on this one for a while.

I'm going to guess it's rear-fanged, arboreal and nocturnal. It reminds me of some of the central and south american cat-eyed snakes. Of course I'm guessing off the top of my head and have absolutely no experience with these genera. Nice photos.

Regards
John

John. I was expecting someone to say, just that. It's Pareas formosensis TW slug eater.
They are only found here in TW, a little unfair asking you to guess, but thanks for taking one.
Here is another.

and the snakes pictured, someone else is going to have to ID these critters. I barely know the various uncommon american snakes out there. But please keep posting the photos and pass along all the field reports along with them. I find it all highly interesting.
Best regards
John

Looks like a species of Lycodon, perhaps ruhstrati?? If not, then it's some type of Dinodon.

BTW, we want field reports, not ID quizzes.....LOL, just kidding....don't be a stranger.

Shane
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Lifelist

and any other ratnake nuts who are from the good ole US of A. Enjoy those burgers and beers.

All the best
John

Back atcha John! Ahhh, burgers and beers, I need to get started........just got back from a very unsuccessful herp outing.
Loved the mutt fetish, red white and turquoise comment!

Off to drink beer and eat burgers.............

Shane
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at the mutt thing. I was just trying to put a not so clever ratsnake spin on the Fourth of July theme. Apparently it fell kind of flat.

I was following the mutt thread but decided not to post. I'm trying not to get so involved in herp world minutiae. Life is so full of really important issues that most of this reptile stuff pales in comparison. My new rule about reptile stuff is if it isn't fun then it's just work that I'm not getting paid for.

I'm taking a week off starting Saturday and heading up to the beaches of Maine. I'll be off-line and relaxing in one of the most herp-starved states in the Union. By the time I get back I'll be ready to check out the snake room again.

Best regards
John

LOL, I didn't bother to read anything but the first post!

Have fun along the coast of ME......I've been to Portland before, but unfortunately I didn't get any time to visit that beautiful shoreline.......though I very much enjoyed fresh lobster and clams with my Newcastle Ale.

There was recently a post on FHF about herping the ME shoreline....unless you want to totally forget about herps for a week, you may be able to find some neat snakes.......

Have a good time,

Shane
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NT