Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a pair of Yunnan Beauty snakes (taeniura yunnanensis) I had a while back. You can see the female (top picture) was gravid at the time. Pictures were taken while out of their cages for cleaning.

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Randy Whittington

Very nice Yunnans, Randy. Very underrepresented in the hobby IMO. How big did those get for you?
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Thanks Toby. I only kept them until they were either 5 or 6 years old but their growth rate compared to the line of mocquardi I have were noticably slower and they were only about 5ft or so when I sold them. As with many species, I think that often has to do with what part of their range they are from and what elevation. As you know that's almost impossible to know with most asian lines in the US.
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Randy Whittington

>>Thanks Toby. I only kept them until they were either 5 or 6 years old but their growth rate compared to the line of mocquardi I have were noticably slower and they were only about 5ft or so when I sold them. As with many species, I think that often has to do with what part of their range they are from and what elevation. As you know that's almost impossible to know with most asian lines in the US.
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>>Randy Whittington

All great points, Randy. I think we are lucky some times, if we can narrow the beauty snakes to subspecies. I have only had experience with Chinese taeniurus taeniurus, but have heard from friends that some lines are bigger than others. I narrowed my current collection of beauties down to the original adult female calico and male het / calico that Terry gifted me years back. They have been about six feet long for the last few years, but are quite girthy, robust and extremely fast and strong snakes - especially considering the male is now 12 years old. The female calico is thicker than the male and probably thicker and stronger than longer Taiwans I have handled.
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research