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Legislation : Ratsnake Foundation December Updates
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| Posted by Sue on 2009/8/1 17:50:00 (269 reads) |
A Very Happy New Year to all our members & visitors from all the staff and committee at the Ratsnake Foundation.
This months Full Members articles set to be published on the 1st January 2010 are :
Persian Ratsnake, Elaphe persica (Werner, 1913) Natural History, Keeping and breeding in Captivity
Author: Sergei A.Ryabov, Director Exotarium, Oktyabrskaya, 26, 300002 Tula, Russia
Notes on reproduction of the adorned graceful brown snake, Rhadinea decorata (Serpentes, Colubridae), from Costa Rica
Author: Stephen R. Goldberg
Caresheet - Thai Red Mountain Ratsnake - Oreocryptophis porphyraceus coxi
Author: Sue Knight
Decembers New Content is: Two new articles and a caresheet
A case of egg-binding in a Western Fourlined Ratsnake
Predicting elusiveness: potential distribution model of the Southern smooth snake, Coronella girondica, in Italy
Twin Spot Ratsnake Care Guide
S373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ will receive a Hearing before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Chaired by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on December 3, 2009. The bill sponsor is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae, placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all import, export and interstate transport. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) took definitive steps yesterday toward lobbying Senator Nelson to add Boa Constrictor to the bill as well. HSUS has publicly called for an end of reptile ownership nationwide for years.
As we understand it right now there will be eight bills heard by the committee with only one witness to testify on all eight. USARK does not anticipate that there will be additional witnesses called. This seems to be an effort to move through as many bills as possible in as short a time as possible. We will know more soon.
USARK is opposed to legislating any animals on to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. Just yesterday an independent group of scientists called the USGS study being used by HSUS and others to justify a ban, “unscientific”.
As always USARK is providing the best, most timely information available on this issue to the Reptile Nation. We realize that these are scary times and we ask that everyone in the community come together to fight this battle. There is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights. Join the Reptile Nation!
http://www.usark.org/
This months Full member Articles are:A big thank you to the European Snake Society for there generousity in allowing us to republish the Tiger Ratsnake article originally published in Litteratura Serpentium and Gidi Van de Belt for putting in the work to make this happen.
The Tiger Ratsnake - Care & Breeding
Author: Mark Wootten
Word Count: 1,144
Introduction
The Tiger Ratsnake (Spilotes pullatus) is also known as the Chicken Eater. It is a large arboreal colubrid found throughout South America. They are reported to exceed 3m but 2.5 is a typical average size for adults. There are several subspecies recognised but I have been unable to find any definitive data regarding these. Most animals seen in the hobby are usually wild caught and come in with other commonly imported South American snakes, such as Emerald Boas, Amazon tree boas etc it is usually very difficult to pinpoint even the country of origin, so specific locale data is rarely available.
Also thanks go to Societas Herpetologica Italica (S.H.I.) for the Smooth Snake article which was originally published in Acta Herpetologica.
Observations of two melanistic smooth snakes (Coronella austriaca) from Dorset, United Kingdom.
Authors: Angelo P. Pernetta1,2,3, Christopher J. Reading1
1 Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, CEH Wallingford, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford,
Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, U.K.
2 School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 7PX, U.K.
3 Address for correspondence: Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, c/o Freshwater Biological Association, East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6BB, U.K. Corresponding
Word Count: 1,088
Abstract. We report the capture of two smooth snakes (Coronella austriaca) with melanistic colouration from a site in Dorset. These two individuals constitute the second published report of melanism in smooth snakes from the United Kingdom.
Keywords. Melanism, smooth snake, United Kingdom.
A Complimentary Newsletter for Registered membersA complimentary copy of our newsletter Ratsnakes Digest can be downloaded from HERE
Hope you enjoy reading it, feedback is always welcome either via the forums or by contacting one of the committee or staff members.Page 2. Exciting Times Ahead - Treasurer
Welcoming Thoughts - Membership Secretary
Page 3. Looking Forward - Chairman
Page 4. Eggciting Times, When Bad Eggs Come Good
-Oreocryptophis porphyraceaus coxi - Rob Kool
-Coelognathus radiatus - Sue Knight
Page 5. Unexpectedly low mitochondrial DNA variation within the Ladder Snake Rhinechis scalaris - Valeria Nulchis et al.
Page 8. Snakes Can’t hear ... Or can they?
Page 9. Breeders Notes - Japanese Forest Ratsnake - Rob Kool
Page 10. Eggztended Incubation in Coelognathus helena - Dave Royans
Page 11. Patronyms of the Pioneer West XIV. Bogertophis subocularis (Brown, 1901), Trans-Pecos Ratsnake - Edward O. Moll and Manny Rubio
Page 15. Reptile Art - Tell Hicks Prints
Page 16. Members Interview - Dusty Rhoads
page 21. Albino Chocolate Pantherophis emoryi - KJ & Kasi Lodrigue / KJUN Snakehaven
Page 22. Outdoor Enclosure for Fox Snakes - Tell Hicks
Page 23. Trinket Snakes Coelognathus helena - Dave Royans & Sue Knight
Page 29. From the Wild - Albino Grey Ratsnake
Page 30. Taxonomy - An Alternative Classification of the New World Ratsnakes (Genus Pantherophis)
October 2009 Ratsnakes Digest is now available for download for Full members, this issue has the following features in it:
Page 3. Foundation News
Page 5. Unexpected Behavior in a Ratsnake
- Al Winstel
Page 6. Conservation biogeography of the snake family Colubridae of China
- Youhua CHEN
Page 13. Creamsicles – Not Just Another Color Of Corn Snake!!
- Mary VanderKop
Page 15. Can I Breed my Corn Snake with your Bull Snake?
- Dean Alessandrini
Page 16. Green Ratsnake, Senticolis triaspis
- Thomas C. Brennan
Page 17. Taiwan Beauty Snake History
- Sue Knight
Page 18. Cryptosporidiosis
- Dr. Wendy Lim DVM
Page 19. An Alternative Method to Remove Retained Eyecaps
- Wildlifewarrior
Page 22. Elaphe dione- feeding habits
- Sue Knight
This months Full Members Articles are:
Etymology of Ratsnake Names
Author: Sue Knight
A quick guide to the meanings of the Scientific names of some Ratsnakes.
Diet spectrum, Prey energetics, and body size in the European Whip Snake, Hierophis virdiflavus
Courtesy of the Societas Herpetologica Italica and authors:
Marco A.L. Zuffi, Riccardo Picchiotti, Sara Fornasiero & Marcello Mele
Feeding rates in the European whip snake have been widely documented (among several: Rugiero and Luiselli, 1995, Amphibia-Reptilia 16, 407-411; Capula et al., 1997, Herpetozoa 10, 65-79). Nevertheless, data on energetics of food intake and on prey quality and their relationship to body size and growth trajectories are still not investigated, and are the argument of the present research.
Acclimating Distressed Gonyos
Author: Ian Jessup
The Back Story
Earlier this year, I had decided to take the plunge into Gonyosoma oxycephalum as a way of advancing my experience in rat snakes, and in particular the more advanced Asian species. Browsing the Kingsnake.com classifieds, I was able to locate a seemingly nice pair of what were labeled as LTC silver-phase Gonyos, a male and a female. The seller had only posted pictures of the male, and when I contacted him I was informed that a picture of the female was not available because she was having a bad shed. Ultimately, he forwarded me a picture and she appeared to be in decent condition from the photo, which admittedly was of poor quality. I placed the order and prepared a 55-gallon aquarium accordingly for the arrival of the pair. On the day of delivery my troubles began and thus the following is the process I undertook to acclimate my new pair of Gonyos.
Ratsnake Caresheets for Full Members (September)
September we have launched the first two of our careguides for Full Members - Taiwan Beauty Snakes and Trinket Snakes. Our caresheets cover the following:
A Brief Taxonomic History, Natural History, Captive Origins, Temperament, Diet, Sloughing, Vivarium Size for hatchlings, sub adults and adults, Temperature & Humidity, Substrate, Vivarium Decor, Brumation, Breeding, Incubation, Quarantine, Morphs, Special notes & References & Further Reading
Please feel free to comment on them in the forum
We launched our sister site in July http://www.reptilesurveys.info a site specifically to run a series of surveys, on various aspects of the hobby, ratsnake husbandry, breedinig etc. The site is open to anyone, anywhere to participate in, as, that way, we feel we will get a broader audience and greater participation. There is a simple captcha to complete before taking the survey, this is in place soley to stop spam bots from submitting there junk through it. The results of the surveys will be published on the Ratsnake Foundation and also in other herpetological societies newsletters who would like to co-operate with us gathering data.
Please take a moment to visit the site and take the survey your participation is greatly appreciated.
If you have an idea for a survey please post in the members lounge in this thread - if you would like to make your own survey up, with questions then we can get that included on the site for you.
WANTED - members to help with running the site, if you have a few hours or more spare each week and would like to join the staff please contact one of the committee. |
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The Ratsnake Foundation : What We are About
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| Posted by admin on 2009/7/8 0:00:00 (375 reads) |
WHAT THE RATSNAKE FOUNDATION IS ALL ABOUT
We hope to provide a platform for open discussion and a cross flow of information about all aspects that exclusively concern 'ratsnakes'.
The term 'ratsnake' is obviously one of dubious taxonomic value, an artificial pigeon hole that certain groups of animals may fall into. Some people would describe some animals as racers while others would happily proclaim them to be ratsnake. The Foundations definition of 'ratsnakes' are all animals that are currently or have been described as such, primarily concerning all species formerly described as Elaphe in the tome written by Schulz, 'A Monograph of the Colubrid Snakes of the Genus Elaphe (Fitzinger)'. We are however, also open to the discussion of any other snake commonly described as 'ratsnakes', such as Rhynchophis boulengeri (Rhino ratsnake), Ptyas, Spilotes & Spalerosophis species etc. in our eyes these snakes are also 'ratsnakes'.
If you have a desire to learn more about these species, we believe the Foundation will be a benefit to you. If you have experience, data, observations of captive husbandry, taxonomy, field work or anything to do with ratsnakes that you wish to share with like-minded people, we hope this site encourages you to do so. We hope to learn from your experience whether via posts on our forum or by submitting an article. Knowledge is power!
After the second year, any money raised over the annual running costs that aren't required for future projects by the Foundation, shall be donated to a specific ratsnake conservation project decided on by our membership. This we feel is a way we may give back a little something to the natural world. |
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Site Updates : July 2009 Ratsnakes Digest
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| Posted by Sue on 2009/7/7 18:28:10 (280 reads) |
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS
July 2009 Ratsnakes Digest Available to Download now for Full members
30 Page issue packed full of features including notes on Elaphe davidi
JULY CONTENT
2. Egg Rolling in Elaphe Eggs
- Marc Frevola
4. What Does A Snake Really Hear
- Sue Knight
8. Cave Fauna
- Liz Price
15. No medium Incubation Technique
- Snake Ranch
18. Notes on Elaphe davidi
- Scott Lupien
25. Chairmans Chatter
- Dave Royans
26. Wonderful Black Ratsnakes
- Nina
28. 8 Simple Rules To Follow To Make Your Breeding Dreams A Reality!
- Tim Cranwill
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Site Updates : Full members Content July 2009
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| Posted by Sue on 2009/6/30 17:20:00 (262 reads) |
This months Full members content is:
Notes on the Ecology of Green Ratsnakes (Senticolis triaspis) in Southeastern Arizona
Authors: William R. Radke1 AND Jacob W. Malcom1,2
1 San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 3509, Douglas, Arizona 85608, USA.
2 Current address: University of Texas at Austin, Section of Integrative Biology, Patterson Laboratories, Austin, Texas, 78712
Experimental ophitoxemia produced by the opisthoglyphous lora snake (Philodryas olfersii) venom
Authors: Alexis Rodríguez-Acosta; Karel Lemoine; Luis Navarrete; María E. Girón; Irma Aguilar Immunochemistry Section, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Felix Pifano", Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
A Guide to Rootbeer Morphs - Cornsnake (Pantherophis gutttatus) X Great Plains Ratsnake (Pantherophis emoryi) which can be found in the morphs & locality section of the site
We have launched our sister site today http://www.reptilesurveys.info a site specifically to run a series of surveys, on various aspects of the hobby, ratsnake husbandry, breedinig etc. The site is open to anyone, anywhere to participate in, as, that way, we feel we will get a broader audience and greater participation. There is a simple captcha to complete before taking the survey, this is in place soley to stop spam bots from submitting there junk through it. The results of the surveys will be published on the Ratsnake Foundation and also in other herpetological societies newsletters who would like to co-operate with us gathering data.
Please take a moment to visit the site and take the survey your participation is greatly appreciated.
If you have an idea for a survey please post in the members lounge in this thread - if you would like to make your own survey up, with questions then we can get that included on the site for you.
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