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Posted by Alan Garry on January 29, 2003 at 17:04:24:
In Reply to: Anyone else ever noticed round snouts in captive Elaphe? posted by chrish on January 29, 2003 at 01:18:56:
Some interesting points all of you. Like Travis said some of these differences are less noticeable because so many snakes are captive bread now. Chris Harper brought up some very good points as well. The point that Shakey brings up is the only one that I have first hand experience with. For one thing for the most part ( especially obsoleta types ) are not burrowers, but boy do they ever try to burrow their way out of their inclosures. I have been breeding and raising various obsoletas since the late 80s'. Keeping them in aquariums and sweater boxes I've seen varying amounts of deformity. There were a few black rats that looked like they were trying to roll their snouts into a fist. Some would only become somewhat deformed. In many cases with black rats, the snouts wouldn't darken. They would remain light grey, or whitish where they should have been as black as any other part of the snake. I have since started using large cages that are plywood around all 4 sides with a plywood door on top with cloth window screen in the middle. That way the only way the snakes can see out is if they look up and they are no longer trying to burrow their way to the next county. I now have some 2001 obsoletas that grew up and still live in this kind of inclosure, and their heads are just as flat on top as any wildcaughts. I know this type of caging isn't feasable for most hobbiest, especially if you keep a large collection in a small area, but if you use it for hatchlings and and keep them there until early adulthood, that will give their bones time to strengthen and prevent any noticeable deformities. Hope this helps.
