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Moellendorffi

RandyWhittington Feb 16, 2012 03:19 PM

Here are a couple of Moellendorffi shots from yesterday. These guys grow fast compared to most other species of ratsnakes I've keep. They seem to grow at a pace more like the larger beauty snake (taeniura)subspecies.
I've noticed the color of their blotches from head to tail start turning to more of a chocolate color rather quickly. The orange or rust coloring in their tail gets more intense quickly also.
I'm glad to finally have my first pair of this species. If anyone out there in the US has any babies there not too attached to please shoot me a message.

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Randy Whittington

Replies (16)

tbrock Feb 16, 2012 06:22 PM

Awesome snakes, Randy! A friend of mine keeps and breeds those - and says they make big beauties look small! They are in the same genus (Orthriophis) as the beauty snakes too... I've always thought they looked like very interesting snakes to keep, but their big size is keeping me away. I limit the size of snakes I keep to adult Chinese Beauties - my biggest, a 12 year old male, is about 6 ft long...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

RandyWhittington Feb 16, 2012 10:30 PM

Thanks Toby. If the friend your talking about is not LK, KK or RK let me know. I hope to get another couple pairs eventually and would like to know of any others breeding them in the USA.
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Randy Whittington

tbrock Feb 16, 2012 10:43 PM

>>Thanks Toby. If the friend your talking about is not LK, KK or RK let me know. I hope to get another couple pairs eventually and would like to know of any others breeding them in the USA.
>>-----
>>Randy Whittington

He's none of those people, Randy. I will try to get you guys together on this...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

RandyWhittington Feb 16, 2012 10:58 PM

Thanks. That would be great. I'll send you my e-mail address in case you want to give it to him.
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Randy Whittington

tbrock Feb 16, 2012 11:18 PM

>>Thanks. That would be great. I'll send you my e-mail address in case you want to give it to him.
>>-----
>>Randy Whittington

Sounds good...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

monklet Feb 17, 2012 10:16 AM

Awesome of course! What are their temperments? Best of luck with your procject Randy.
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See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

RandyWhittington Feb 17, 2012 02:51 PM

Thanks Brad. They seem to have the average rat snake tempermant, not too high strung or not too laid back.
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Randy Whittington

Jason Nelson Feb 17, 2012 07:42 PM

So freaking sweet bro! Beautiful snakes

Jason

RandyWhittington Feb 17, 2012 07:52 PM

Thanks Jason. Hey if you get a chance post a picture of one of your hypo baird's.
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Randy Whittington

CarlKoch Feb 19, 2012 10:37 PM

SUCH beautiful snakes! What's the adult size?
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Carl

RandyWhittington Feb 19, 2012 11:20 PM

Thanks Carl. They have been known to get over 8 ft. but the average adult would be a little smaller.
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Randy Whittington

ratsnakehaven Feb 20, 2012 09:54 AM

>>Here are a couple of Moellendorffi shots from yesterday. These guys grow fast compared to most other species of ratsnakes I've keep. They seem to grow at a pace more like the larger beauty snake (taeniura)subspecies.
>>I've noticed the color of their blotches from head to tail start turning to more of a chocolate color rather quickly. The orange or rust coloring in their tail gets more intense quickly also.
>>I'm glad to finally have my first pair of this species. If anyone out there in the US has any babies there not too attached to please shoot me a message.

>>-----
>>Randy Whittington

Hi, Randy. Long time no see.

I'm very happy to see you are working with moellendorffi now. Put me on your list for future babies. I've been thinking of getting back into this species for a long time. How long have you had the babies? I don't know anyone at this time that is still working with them, although there has been a few in the past. My problem has been adjusting to life and conditions in AZ, which are pretty good, except for the dry conditions most of the time. I do know quite a bit about moellendorffi, however, so shoot me an email now and then and we can discuss them and how yours are doing.

Moellendorff's ratsnakes are one of the coolest ratsnakes in the world. When I first got into them I also got some corn snakes to keep for comparison. Let me tell you that the similarities bt. these species are few, mostly in their fossorial nature and patterning. Moells can get large, but of the four I kept, only one got to six feet before I got away from the species. One reason I got away from them was because of their large size; but no other ratsnake can compare to their uniqueness. One reason I could get back into them is because they are actually very hardy when starting with healthy babies. They can handle our relatively cool winters quite well.

Are your babies eating well, or brumating?

Talk more later.... Terry

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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

RandyWhittington Feb 20, 2012 11:18 AM

Hey Terry. It has been a while. It's good to see you on the forum.
The 100 Flowers are definatly unique when compared to other ratsnakes. I was lucky in that the friend I got them from only had the one female in the clutch. I think he was glad to sell me a pair with the only female because I had been worrying him for months about getting a pair or two. lol
I've had mine about 4 months now and they were only about a month old when I got them. My pair have literally not refused a meal yet, even if in shed. I know they can be difficult sometimes when young so I have been happy they have fed so well.
If you have some time, join us in the rat-a-thon and post a couple pics.
Talk to you later.
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Randy Whittington

ratsnakehaven Feb 20, 2012 08:01 PM

Randy, that's excellent news. I wish you the best with them and I'm so happy that they're getting some notice again in the hobby.

I'll try to get some pics up when I get a little more time...

TC

>>Hey Terry. It has been a while. It's good to see you on the forum.
>>The 100 Flowers are definatly unique when compared to other ratsnakes. I was lucky in that the friend I got them from only had the one female in the clutch. I think he was glad to sell me a pair with the only female because I had been worrying him for months about getting a pair or two. lol
>>I've had mine about 4 months now and they were only about a month old when I got them. My pair have literally not refused a meal yet, even if in shed. I know they can be difficult sometimes when young so I have been happy they have fed so well.
>>If you have some time, join us in the rat-a-thon and post a couple pics.
>>Talk to you later.
>>-----
>>Randy Whittington
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

pdollard Feb 20, 2012 11:09 PM

Hi Randy

Congrats on your moellendorffi and glad to hear they have been eating so well for you.
I have 2.1 that I got in 2006 as hatchlings via Kam T (Bushmaster) but from a Colorado breeder who has been producing them for quite a few years - TN - (not sure if you know him but I know he prefers his privacy). Unlike yours - mine were difficult feeders from the start and none of them would take anything larger than live fuzzy size mice for the first 3 years. Then, 1.1 turned around and began to take FT mice and finally FT rat pups. The other male continues to only accept live but at least he will now take small live rat pups.
Mine are now over five feet and heavily muscled, true constrictors. I was intending to try and pair them this year but circumstances have left me unable to brumate them so I'm not too optimisitic of the success. Hopefully next year...
Best of luck with yours. If I do manage success I will keep you in mind if you would like

Cheers
PatD

RandyWhittington Feb 21, 2012 12:20 AM

Those are beautiful Pat. Thanks for posting the pictures. If you do produce any this year I would greatly appreciate it if you let me know. I'm hoping to get a couple more pair from different sources.
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Randy Whittington

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