Northen Copperhead pic...

[Nikki Gervais]

Here's a cute lil northern copperhead a friend of mine came across while herping. Enjoy :)

Northern Copperhead - Agkistrodon Contortrix Mokasen

[Nikki Gervais]

Guess you guys/gals don't like copperheads? Gosh I love em! :D :)

[Alex]

ya i do.. there awsome ....but not 2 sure on getting 1 yet :P

[Nikki Gervais]

Thats cool! Finally someone who likes em! yay! hehe :) I can't wait to get some this spring, those lil gems are gonna be the jewels of my herps collection. :D

[Linds]

Copperheads are beautiful snakes :) I hope he let it go........

[Nightflight99]

Copperheads are not only beautiful, they are some of the most underrated species per se.

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1626/Dscn0473a.jpg

Pictured is one of this year's neonates from Louisiana locality parent animals. Specimens from this locality are known to be some of the largest copperheads in the country.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Linds, yes the lil guy was let go a few days later. :)

Nightflight99, Whoa now that is a sweet lookin coppehead! I have never seen one like that! The abberant pattern is unreal! What a beautie! :D

[Alex]

what is 1 of those lil guys worth??

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais: Thanks, glad you like it. I'm working with several subspecies and localities of Agkistrodon contortrix, including various abberant and striped specimens. If you liked the neonate, I'm sure you will enjoy this specimen as well.

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1612/mini-savannah06a.jpg

This adult specimen is one of my striped animals that originated from coastal Georgia.

@ Alex:

what is 1 of those lil guys worth??

If you are talking monetary value, most venomous snakes are not worth much, especially compared to some of the non-venomous species. The cost of venomous snakes lies not in the acquisition price of the animal, but rather in the time, resources, and preparation required to keep the animals safely and responsibly.

Copperheads range in price from $15-65 for neonates, and $30-85 as adults on average. Exceptional specimens with abberant patterns are obviously more expensive.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Alex]

ok tkx alot for ur help ..:)

[Nikki Gervais]

Nightflight99, once again a stunning specimen! :D You must post more of your copper collection, they are such gems! :) :D

what other venomous do you keep?

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

I'm glad that you are enjoying the pics. No matter how many copperheads I work with, I find them stunning and beautiful. They are very gratifying to work with.

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1611/mini-pictigasterf4a.jpg
Pictured is a young adult female Trans-Pecos Copperhead, Agkistrodon c. pictigaster.

My collection currently contains pairs or small breeding groups of
Hydrodynastes gigas
Dispholidus typus
Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix (South Carolina - Georgia - SE Louisiana localities)
Agkistrodon contortrix lacticinctus (Oklahoma locality)
Agkistrodon contortrix pictigaster
Agkistrodon contortrix lacticinctus X pictigaster
Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti
Agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus
Deinagkistrodon acutus (China)
Calloselasma rhodostoma
Gloydius blomhoffi siniticus
Bothrops atrox (Trinidad)
Bothrops asper (Costa Rica)
Crotalus adamanteus (Florida locality)
Crotalus atrox (Texas locality)
Crotalus horridus atricaudatus (South Carolina - Georgia localities)
Cerastes cerastes (Egypt)
Pseudocerastes persicus (Pakistan)
Echis carinatus (Pakistan)
Daboia russelli siamensis (Indonesia)
Proatheris superciliaris
Bitis arietans (Tanzania)
Naja kaouthia (albino & normal)
Naja pallida


Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Whoa, once again, an amazing picture! That pic is so stunning! Amazing timing ya got! What kind of camera do you use?

You have an excellent collection of hots there! I love hydrodynastes gigas! I can't wait till I am fortunate enough to keep some! I also adore agkistrodon bilineatus bilineatus. Their pattern is unreal. Absolutely amazing animals, some specimens almost look purple!

Have anymore amazing pics for me? ;) :) :D Preferably of hydro and/or bilin... hehe :) :D

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

I currently use a Nikon Coolpix 995, which works quite well. As the other models in the CP series, the 995 takes great pictures and the swivel design makes for easy positioning of difficult angles. I have also used the Canon Powershot S110 in the past, which I recommend if you are new to digital photography and don't want to spend as much money. It takes great pictures and is very easy to operate.

As for the requested pictures...

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1599/cantilf04.jpg
A young adult female Agkistrodon b. bilineatus. These snakes are truly psycho, and will often go into unprovoked "fits", during which they will launch a series of multiple strikes at the perceived enemy, and bite everything in range (including hooks, air, and themselves). Many specimens of this species act that way, especially members of the nominate subspecies, which is pictured here.

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1587/dscn0623.jpg
A hatchling Hydrodynastes gigas freshly hatched out of the egg. This was one of the specimens in the clutch that I hatched last month. They are now all feeding on fish, but will soon graduate to rodents. Their feeding response is absolutely ferocious, by the way.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Aww gosh their sooooooo cute! You're so lucky to have them! Some of my fav species are sistrurus c. catenatus and boiga dendrophila melanota. :) Have any experience with those? That's interesting info you mentioned about the agkistrodon b. bilineatus , I'm gonna have to remember that since if possible, I have intentions on keeping those in the near future. :)

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

Rattlesnakes of the genus Sistrurus make great captives. They are small, hardy, and - despite their toxicity in case of Sistrurus catenatus - not overly lethal (which can mostly be attributed to their relatively low yield), although Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) have been known to deliver fatal bites. The eastern subspecies is endangered in much of their range, and is therefore protected accordingly. While Massasaugas are certainly interesting and fascinating animals, I personally prefer working with some of the larger Crotalus species in my collection.

I find Boiga dendrophila to be one of the most beautiful species of rear-fanged colubridae. I have worked with the nominate subspecies from Indonesia before, and find them very interesting. It is unfortunate that few people are currently producing this species in the United States, as the demand is certainly apparent. The majority of the specimens available in the trade are therefore recently imported wild-caught animals that are often loaded with endo- and ectoparasites. Not only do these animals usually require a full deparasitation treatment, including fecal floats and cultures, but are also all too often specialized feeders. The main diet of Boiga dendrophila in the wild consists of reptiles and birds, which can lead to the animals accepting only specific species of feeders that may or may not be easily obtainable. Anyone considering the acquisition of this species should therefore be attentive to the history of the specimens in question.

The subspecies Boiga d. melanota that you mentioned is found in southern Thailand, western Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Thanks for your info Nightflight!

Do you know what all the ssp are for boiga dendrophila?

There are so many floating around and not enough literature to distinguish those who are real or fake. :confused:

Also do you know the common names of those listed ssp of boiga dendrophila? Like boiga dendrophila melanota (my fav :D) is the banded mangrove snake.

After years of searching it looks like my work is finally paid off and I may have a lead on two unrelated mangroves. :) Gosh I hope this all works out!

[myGODDESS]

would would never be able to have a venous snake ever i would be to afraid that it would get out and kill me ......... lol but alex u are not getting one for the reason

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

Boiga dendrophila currently contains 8 subspecies, including


Boiga d. dendrophila
Boiga d. annectens
Boiga d. geminicincta
Boiga d. melanota
Boiga d. multicincta
Boiga d. occidentalis
Boiga d. divergens
Boiga d. latifasciata


I wouldn't worry about the common names of the individual subspecies. Most species and subspecies have a whole array of vernacular names, depending on where you are and who you ask. Stick to the scientific names, as they carry significantly more merit.

Good luck with your mangroves, and let us know how it goes.


@ myGODDESS:

would would never be able to have a venous snake ever i would be to afraid that it would get out and kill me .........

Actually, most venomous snakes have absolutely no desire to chase or kill you (exceptions confirm the rule), and are much more afraid of you than you are of them. Any lose snake would likely be desperate in search of an adequate hidespot, rather than to hang from the door frame in anticipation of tasty human... :eb:

However, secure caging is certainly a major concern when working with venomous reptiles. Adequate setups include escape-proof cages in a separate room that is locked and sealed.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Thanks Nightflight! I was never really sure on the actual ssp as I haven't been able to find much literature on boiga dendrophila.

About the common names, I would like to know them because when I am referring to my collection my friends will never be able to remember the latin names.

So do you have a list of the most used common names?

Since I have found so little literature on boiga dendrophila ssp, these are the only ones I am familiar with...

Boiga Dendrophila Gemmicincta - Sulawesi Mangrove Snake
Appearance: Glossy black, no bands

Boiga Dendrophila Melanota - Banded Mangrove Snake
Appearance: Glossy black w/ thin yellow bands

I know of several specimens that came in fully striped from the Philippines, are these specimens a valid ssp? If so, which?

I have also seen several specimens that are black with white bands. I always thought these were just a colour variation of Boiga Dendrophila Melanota, or are they a different ssp? If so, which?

I really, REALLY appreciate the information you have been giving me on Boiga Dendrophila ssp. They are some of my favourite species and I have found very little literature to study them further.
Thanks so much, hope to hear more from you soon! :)

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

You're right, there isn't a lot of useful information about this species in the literature. Even the professional literature contains relatively little about these gorgeous snakes. I suspect that a taxonomic review is in order, as there doesn't appear to have been done any work with these in quite some time.

To my knowledge, all of the Boiga dendrophila subspecies are plainly referred to as mangrove snakes. As usual however, the trade has given some of the more commonly imported subspecies distinct common names, which are mainly for marketing purposes, and taxonomically usually invalid. Boiga d. geminicincta, for example, is often referred to as Sulawesi mangrove snake, due to the fact that it occurs in Sulawesi (and Celebes). It has also occasionally been offered as melanistic mangrove snake, which - considering the fact that it being melanistic is the most apparent morphological distinction of this subspecies in general - is rather amusing. I would therefore suggest referring to your specimen(s) as mangrove snake subspecies from *insert locality*, if you wish to refer to them by common names. It is much more useful and precise, however, to refer to them by scientific names along with locality data.

The subspecies of the specimens from the Philippines depend on what part of the Philippines the animals in question originated from. There are three subspecies that are found in the Philippines, including Boiga d. divergens in Luzon, Boiga d. multicincta in Palawan, and Boiga d. latifasciata in Mindanao.

Black specimens with white bands? Beats me. They could possibly be a variation of Boiga d. melanota, but this is mere speculation without actual locality data.

Hope I could help a bit. If you have any further questions, please don't be afraid to ask. Its nice to have these discussion forums fulfill their intented purpose sometimes.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Alex]

i think ill hva e a copperhead coming in 1 day:P ..i just love em!

[Nikki Gervais]

Hey Nightflight,
I agree there needs to be a taxonomic review on this species. Your idea of refering to them by locality is what I had planned on doing since I could not find common names for all subspecies lol.

I will try to find out locality data on the striped and blk/wht banded specimens. They really interested me as I had not heard of them before the importer mentioned them to me during my quest for boiga dendrophila melanota.

Do you have a list of literature that I may be able to aqquire that would further my knowledge on them? It would be greatly appreciated if you could pass any along. :)

Alex:
Nice to hear you may be getting a copperhead, I hope you are properly prepared for one. I hate being flamed for mentioning keeping them so I will spare you. LOL :p However I hope you realise that although not usually lethal, a bite could leave you capable of only counting to 9...

[Nightflight99]

@ Nikki Gervais:

Unfortunately, the literature does not contain as much solid information about Boiga dendrophila as one may wish. You are bound to find bits and pieces of useful information in a number of books, which is also not always easily assembled. Up to date information regarding the proper taxonomy or identification of subspecies is very hard to find, especially in the english literature.

There is one book called "Trugnattern" by Dr.Dieter Schmidt, which focuses on the biology and captive husbandry of rear-fanged colubrids. Unfortunately, this book is only available in German language, and therefore of rather limited use if you are not familiar with the language.

There is, however, some venom work being done on this taxon. Dr.Bryan Grieg Fry is currently working on a major paper that will likely be a milestone in the understanding of colubrid venom. From what I hear, the paper will be published sometime next year, and will include information regarding many species of rear-fanged colubrids, including Boiga dendrophila.

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

Thanks NightFlight :) By the way, I love you avatar! :D

[Nightflight99]

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/download/1678/dscn0158.jpg

Glad you like it. Here is the regular-sized version. :cool:

Regards,

---Nightflight99

[Nikki Gervais]

wicked stuff!

[paolo_28]

WOW....thats all I got to say. "WOW" You've got amazing pictures and very lucky to work with amazing snakes.
Keep them pictures coming.

Paolo.

[snakemann87]

i love em!!!! how could you not like that clean pattern, and smooth head.

[chas*e]

The Copperheads are one of the most beautiful snakes around..but unfortunately not around here(Canada) due to the area by-laws..still ?????

[Mustangrde1]

I must say all this talk on Boiga Dendrophila is terrific They are truly one of the most beautiful snakes to me. I currently have a pair and they have mated this year so hopefully I shall have some CB this year. They were both Wild Caught animals and did require to be deparasited.Both are feeding on rodents very well and doing fine.

Nikki you were asking about info on them. Like you I have had trouble finding anything really on them , But I can give you what I have done and the one resource i found some interesting info.

First they do require arboreal cageing I have mine in a 3 high by 2 by 2. with a large 1 gallon water dish, I mist them twice a day and and keep the daytime hot spot about 91 at the top of the cage and its 82 at the bottom . Night time top of cage is about 85 and bottom is 75 . Inside the tank itself i have a little hand held clothing steamer that i fill once every other day to generate higher humidity and durring sheds ive found filling it with shed ease really helps them shed, it is placed so the snake can not burn itself,yet allows the humidity to saturate the tank. As for feeding , they are eating large mice to medium rats every 7 to 10 days like champs. It early here and im not to awake yet so i know ive left something out . if anyone has questions about them please ask.
The one website i did find desecnt info and the one i think all hot keepers should have is WWW.TOXINOLOGY.COM

Here is the male hope you enjoy
Scott