Anyone had experience of 'stinking goddesses' (Elaphe Carinata)?

[brig]

I've read conflicting advice ranging from 'easy to keep and breed', to being warned off because of their habit of musking in a frequent and smelly manner!

Anybody keeping them, and if so, what do you think to them?

Cheers for any info,

Brig.

[Simon R. Sansom]

Hi,
I'm also fascinated by this particular species. I have never owned any, because they rarely seem to be available here in Canada (I have seen one youngster at a show, and someone on the classifieds had one for sale about six months ago).

From what I can gather, they are fairly commonly bred in Europe where they seem to be relatively popular. People who keep and breed them do not seem to have any problems or attitude issues with captive-bred ones. I think that the bad reputation comes from some of the older literature dealing with wild-caught ones.

I hope that we can get some input here from carinata keepers.

Cheers!

Simon

[Andy_G]

I have not personally kept this specie but I know what they are like. They get fairly big and husky, sometimes have a bad attitude(that's mostly wc snakes though), they like to climb, they need the mimimum of a 4x2x2 enclosure as adults because they are very active and they like to climb, their musk is pretty stinky, hence the name stinking godess, they won't musk too often once they are tamed down, if there is a need to, they are voracious feeders and will eat readily after a few days of settling in, and also they can be kept in the same temps that most rat snakes are kept at.

I have handled a friend's adults and they are very fun to handle, but I would think that their bite would be a bit painful, although that is just a guess. If you find one for a decent price and are willing to tame it if it is agressive and give it the space it needs as an adult I would say go for it.

[gonesnakee]

Ryan & Sheila of SCALES ZOO may work with some??? Mark I.

[Scales Zoo]

Thanks for the intro Mark.

We have what we believe to be 1.2. We know we have 1.1 that were hatched in 2001 (and I was told in Canada). The adult we believe to be female, and was a gift to Scales Zoo, by our first ever visitors, Henry and Terri.

The juvies are extremly fast. They don't bite or musk, but they are very, very fast.

The adult (very likely wild caught) does musk and strike. I've never smelt anything like it in my life. It smells nearly petrolium based, very hard to describe. We put on old clothes when we have to deal with the adult, incase we get musk on them, so we can throw them out.

When I get musked on the hands, I make sure to wash them with the best soap I can find, very hard and long. I've used many types of soap, but nothing will get the smell out. It seems the smell just gets worse over time, and it lasts for days.

These are some of the prettiest snakes we keep, I will try and get some pics of ours shortly.

Sheila and I have been discussing what animals we plan to keep and breed in the future, and these may find themselves for sale if Sheila has her way. We still have some thinking and talking to do about it.

The last 2 clutches of colubrids that we had, hatched while we were away, and my mother had to set up the baby snakes. It's not really fair for her, and we may adjust our collection very shortly.

Ryan

[Katt]

Stinking Goddesses sold to Katt and Vanan.
hehehehehehe!!

[Simon R. Sansom]

You'll have to wrassle me for 'em! LOL!

Simon

[brig]

Thanks for the information, guys!

Well, I know where there are a pair of juveniles for sale, but you'll have to come to England to get them - (and probably wrestle me for them, anyway) although they're a bit pricey! LOL!

I think price is irrelevant to compare with you guys though as every type of reptile seems to be radically different in Canada vs. England, because of differing availability.

They are a beautiful olive colour at the moment, and judging by the pictures, the transformation to adult seems quite radical.

Hmmm. Just not sure. I hate decisions like this. Will I regret not getting them? Help!

[Simon R. Sansom]

Hi brig,
I'll tell ya, if I had the opportunity to grab a captive-bred pair of youngsters, I'd snap 'em up, chop-chop! I'd regret it forever if I didn't make the effort.

Let us know what you decide.

Cheers, mate!

Simon

[Katt]

Simon, considering we will live just two blocks over from Ryan and Sheila, I think we have the advantage! muahahaha!!!!

[Scales Zoo]

I would like Simon to get them. Actually, I replied to this post thinking that they would be great snakes for Simon. I like his collection - and if we are cutting down (which we are) I'd like to see some rare colubrids go to him.

But since katt and Vanan are living 2 blocks away, I think I would offer them at 1/2 price - so they could be 50% owners of the snakes. That way, I'd get some babies - and could see the adults any time i wanted.

Ryan

[Katt]

Alright! I like that deal!!!