Re: Elaphe bairdi

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Posted by andrew g on September 26, 2001 at 12:22:34:

In Reply to: Elaphe bairdi posted by Steven(Belgium) on September 25, 2001 at 17:14:14:

Hi Steven,

Like Shakey, bairdi are among my all time favorite snakes. I think people here in the US have forgotten about them with all the attractive gutatta and Asian elaphe. I first ventured into west Texas in search of Lampropeltis alterna five years ago. I collected an alterna on the first outing, but I also found a yearling bairdi DOR (dead on road).

Two years and eight more DOR bairdi later, I collected a juvenile after a light rain - north of Del Rio in June @ 1:00am. The snake hadn't gained its adult pattern and was actually blue! I don't exaggerate! It's grown into a beautiful adult, the blue has been replaced with silver and a glowing orange background.

I've visited Tim Gephard and seen his exceptional animals. Unfortunately, I don't think he exports anymore. I suppose you could say that the further west you go in it's range, the more drab the specimens look. I personally don't agree, the variation in populations adds to their beauty. Along with websites, The Elaphe Monograph by Klaus Dieter Schulz has a nice overview of the species. I care for mine like any other colubrid. They do seem to worship water, I've seen shedding problems when the water container isn't large enough to soak in. Of course you shouldn't allow the the enclosure to become moist. Good luck with yours!

andrew

: Hi,
: last weekend I bought a beautiful young pair of '99. They're my first bairdi's. Does somebody know of a good site on them, or give me some of his personal experiences? Thanks!
: Steven

Follow Ups:

Andrew... Shaky 09/26/01 (3)
- Re: Andrew... ag 09/26/01 (2)
  - email Shaky 09/27/01 (0)
  - Re: Andrew... oops.... 09/26/01 (0)

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: : Hi Steven, : Like Shakey, bairdi are among my all time favorite snakes. I think people here in the US have forgotten about them with all the attractive gutatta and Asian elaphe. I first ventured into west Texas in search of Lampropeltis alterna five years ago. I collected an alterna on the first outing, but I also found a yearling bairdi DOR (dead on road). : Two years and eight more DOR bairdi later, I collected a juvenile after a light rain - north of Del Rio in June @ 1:00am. The snake hadn't gained its adult pattern and was actually blue! I don't exaggerate! It's grown into a beautiful adult, the blue has been replaced with silver and a glowing orange background. : I've visited Tim Gephard and seen his exceptional animals. Unfortunately, I don't think he exports anymore. I suppose you could say that the further west you go in it's range, the more drab the specimens look. I personally don't agree, the variation in populations adds to their beauty. Along with websites, The Elaphe Monograph by Klaus Dieter Schulz has a nice overview of the species. I care for mine like any other colubrid. They do seem to worship water, I've seen shedding problems when the water container isn't large enough to soak in. Of course you shouldn't allow the the enclosure to become moist. Good luck with yours! : andrew : : Hi, : : last weekend I bought a beautiful young pair of '99. They're my first bairdi's. Does somebody know of a good site on them, or give me some of his personal experiences? Thanks! : : Steven

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