New Rattlesnake described

[bronxzoofrank]

New US snake: blacktailed rattlesnake split, now 2 species An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie Rattlesnake Overview Rattlesnakes - an Overview of the Most Highly Evolved Serpents That Reptile Blog

[rmfsnakes32]

That is very interesting rattlesnakes are very cool. I wont ever own one but love to see them in zoos

[Zoo Nanny]

Interesting article. I've been fortunate seeing two different species of rattle snakes in the wild. Well one actually wasn't in the wild, it had wandered in to my front yard. Blue Hill Conservation Center came down in the spring to trap it to remove to Blue Hills Reservation. An area at the top of the hills is prime habitat for timbers. The one exciting one that I saw while on vacation was in Aruba. Out in the scrub while exploring the island I almost stepped on a unicolor. I knew they were there but did not expect to see one as there are so few. Of course even with the camera around my neck I was unprepared to see it so missed the photo op. It shot under the Divi. Very exciting none the less when all I had expected to see on our trip were the wild donkeys, dogs, lizards and goats.

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

Interesting article. I've been fortunate seeing two different species of rattle snakes in the wild. Well one actually wasn't in the wild, it had wandered in to my front yard. Blue Hill Conservation Center came down in the spring to trap it to remove to Blue Hills Reservation. An area at the top of the hills is prime habitat for timbers. The one exciting one that I saw while on vacation was in Aruba. Out in the scrub while exploring the island I almost stepped on a unicolor. I knew they were there but did not expect to see one as there are so few. Of course even with the camera around my neck I was unprepared to see it so missed the photo op. It shot under the Divi. Very exciting none the less when all I had expected to see on our trip were the wild donkeys, dogs, lizards and goats.

Great experience...and not common! Here's one on Aruba Is Rattlesnake natural history,

best, Frank

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by rmfsnakes32

That is very interesting rattlesnakes are very cool. I wont ever own one but love to see them in zoos

Thanks very much; you might enjoy this on the largest species, the Eastern Diamondback.

Best, Frank

[Zoo Nanny]

Frank the link isn't working. I found the article in your Blog. I knew that they were rare but hadn't realized that they were limited to only 10 square miles on the island.

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by Zoo Nanny

Frank the link isn't working. I found the article in your Blog. I knew that they were rare but hadn't realized that they were limited to only 10 square miles on the island.

Thanks, I'll check the link; I was surprised also - they do very well in zoos, but their natural range is one of the snakes world's smallest. Best, Frank

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by bronxzoofrank

Thanks, I'll check the link; I was surprised also - they do very well in zoos, but their natural range is one of the snakes world's smallest. Best, Frank

The problem with zoos is they will not breed them They are too worried about inbreeding the species. Its a shame really.

[bronxzoofrank]

Originally Posted by Gregg M

The problem with zoos is they will not breed them They are too worried about inbreeding the species. Its a shame really.

Hello Greg,

I'm not sure how you arrived at that conclusion. The Aruba island Rattlesnake, with which I've worked for over 20 years in zoos, is managed under an American Zoo Association Species Survival Plan. Pairings are made by a species coordinator, based on what would be best for the captive population in terms of genetic diversity; AZA zoos must breed their animals as directed by the coordinator. Zoo space, and the possibility (in this case, limited) of reintroduction are also major factors. Overbreeding is a serious concern, given space limitations etc... Please let me know if you need further info.

Best regards, Frank

[Snakeman8]

ive only once seen a aruba rattlesnake in person.