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Posted by Kestrel on April 20, 2003 at 23:36:43:
In Reply to: Re: Beauty Snake Questions posted by ronda on April 20, 2003 at 22:39:51:
Taiwans and blues are the most common, you're right.. The size of the taiwans(the record is actually 11ft, 6-8ft being more common. All of mine are 7-8ft) is what appeals most people to them I think, and the color of the blues is what attracts people to those. Chinese beauties are one of the smaller types. I have a baby I got before its first shed, and it was smaller then a hatchling cornsnake. Compared to my taiwans who were at least 4 times that size as hatchlings. To add on to Rondas list, there's also Yunnan beauties, which have a neat broken up pattern and stay smaller like Chinese beauties if i remember correctly. There are many Chinese Beauty snake morphs out there. T+ and T- albino, anerythristic, patternless, and hypo. And who knows how many other abberencies show up in the wild. But prepare to pay a very VERY pretty penny for these morphs as they aren't too common. T+ albinos are becoming popular though. But as far as temperment goes, ridleyi(Cave) beauties and blues have to be the worst. Both of them seem to be very shy and defensive. While my Taiwans are some of the most laid back, tame snakes I own. I purchased them as hatchlings and have raised them to their current point with LOTS of handling, and thats what it takes.. They're great pets.. I highly recommend them...
:There are several different types of beauty snakes (Elaphe taeniura)....
:Blue beauties (E. t. ssp)
:Taiwan beauties (E. t. friesi)
:Chinese beauties (E. t. taeniura)
:Mocquard's beauties (E. t. mocquardi)
:Cave Dwelling Rats (E. t. ridleyi)
:... to name a few! Of the above list, I think Taiwans get the biggest (8 feet? I've never kept them). My experience is limited to ridleyi and blues. My adult blues are just shy of 7 feet. My ridleyi average about 6 to 6.5 feet. Beauties tend to be shy snakes (again, my experience is limited to two subspecies). My blues are shy as hatchlings and "slightly wary" as adults, although not very inclined to bite. My ridleyi are shy and defensive at hatchlings the same as adults. They are one of those "once you get them out of their enclosures they're fine, but be careful reaching in" types of snakes.
:I believe there are some different morphs of the Chinese beauties (albino) but as far as I know, no morphs of the others yet. There are a few photos at ratsnakes.com, and if you can get your hands on the Schulz book (Monograph of the Colubrid Snakes of the Genus Elaphe) then you're in good shape. Tons of pictures and info there.
:Take care,
:Ronda
