A Wonderful Year - Mandarina Moments

Another of our success for the 2008 Season.

We introduced the Mandarina ratsnake around 11 years ago when 'Flash' (appropriately named for such a stunning species) came into the Collection.

A shy &, often, defensive species which one has to be content to admire, but, handle with care!

This boy came from a good friend here in the U.K. & although he is f1 from Wild Caught there has never been feeding issue.

However, as the years continued we decided perhaps a female would be a good addition..........

Well, easier said than done.

Buying a single animal in any species is not a good idea when one wishes to consider a Breeding Programme, however, our initial reason for purchase was not necessarily to breed, but, to admire.

Never-the-less, I digress.

Mrs 'Flash' arrived approx. 6 years later & 5 years on we decided that she was sufficiently mature to attempt a pairing.

Here are the results

Enjoy. Lex

Mandarin Vietnamese - male:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1...extbm07gb0.jpg

Mandarin Vietnamese - female:


http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/7...0off2ctqd4.jpg

This species do not grow overly large which is just as well given the temperament of the female at times! ;)

Lex

The 'dear lady' giving some thought to her task in hand, i.e. post lay slough & before her presenting me with her gift:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8...ymay08tvb9.jpg

The gift:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5...smay08tbh5.jpg

Superb :banana::banana:

Lex

Well,

I realize that I have not up dated this Thread with the results from the eggs.

Although 8 eggs were laid (an exceptional amount given the size of the Mother) the surviving hatchings = 6.

One egg did not pip & another eager little guy jumped out & caught the umbilical cord, thus, pulling his intestines & courting the inevitable infection, we lost him 24 hours later.

I knew some were temperamentally alike the Mother as there was at least 1 tail rattling in rather a ferocious manner within the egg box!

The 6 hatchlings gender = 3.3

But I suspect that this is too good to be true, therefore, they are all being 'held back' until they are suitable age to probe to confirm gender.

A photo's for y'all:

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/128...esbesttot6.jpg

Lex

This species although spectacular & unusual is not suitable for a beginner for many reasons, not least the fact that they prefer their vivarium to be situated in an area which will not court constant traffic.

An animal which desires a cool temperature, moist substrate & many 'bolt' holes.

That is not to say these animals are impossible to keep.

They obviously are not.

However, do not add this species to your Collection if your wish is to handle to admire..........they have a low tolerance of interference for human pleasure!

My adults are handled both for husbandry purposes (i.e. cleaning) & also to confirm weights during the Cooling & Breeding Seasons.

The 'guys' are not over-looked during routine cleaning; their desire to be left alone is never an excuse for poor husbandry.

The hatchlings are a good few months old now & feeding has not been problematic. All have eaten small Pinks with gusto, but, too large a Pink can be returned the following day (unwelcome aroma included)!

Defrost Pinks are now on the menu & all accepted.

Hatchling at 2 months of age:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5...mm0801tft2.jpg

Regards. Lex

And a few more.

Hatchling at 2 months:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8...0802t02tr9.jpg

Hatchling at 2 months:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9...0803t02up8.jpg

Regards. Lex

Congrats on the successful pairing! They are truly stunning animals!

How in the hell did I miss this thread?

Lovin the Mandarins!

Wow - beautiful!!

I love that one of the babies was giving you attitude in the egg box!

They are great looking~grats!

Thank you for all of your kind compliments folks it's certainly appreciated. :gj:

Ya,

I have to admit to a certain 'inflated head' when I speak of these 'guys' to my friends & aquaintances as they are not an easy species to breed.

A successful large clutch is, often, unusual. Apparently the clutch size is more around the 3 - 4 ratio.

So, allowing the extra years to mature the female has certainly paid off!

The female had no trouble in regaining her body weight, therefore, I may have a chance at another excellent clutch in 2009. ;)

Thanks again.

Lex

very nice where are these guys from?

Alright Lexcorn, thought the user name looked familiar. Congrats on the successful hatchlings. Stunning wee specimens :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fergie

Alright Lexcorn, thought the user name looked familiar. Congrats on the successful hatchlings. Stunning wee specimens :gj:

---

Thanks fergie :D

These guys are all eating real well, but, as they are not a large species the hatchlings are small. This gives me the option of keeping more animals as the space issue is not a problem.

Oh dear, I can see there are many 'keepers' again this year!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Thor26
very nice where are these guys from?

---

Hi Thor,

The species is found in China, North Vietnam, Taiwan.

Old World Asian Ratsnake.

Cheers. Lex