New York Metro Reptile Expo

[Lord Sorril]

Great photos, that was a lot of tricky lighting there!

I was thinking about getting Rhino Rat Snakes back in the day, but a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston told me that they had a lot of health issues with theirs...so I passed and went with Black Milk Snakes (legit).

[Bogertophis]

The $500 dollars was for a breeding pair of Kukris, and the Calibar python was probably w/c. Another vendor described the Calibar python vendor as a "flipper" that sold w/c animals. When I asked the vendor basic questions about the Calibar, she had to google it. I decided not to ask her about her Amazon Tree Boas. I can ask google myself.

I still wouldn't want even a pair of Kukris for that or any price. I'm sure someone will though. Too bad about the Calibar being w/c...for every w/c imported snake you see for sale, many more have died from the "process", & many of those that survive to be sold won't make it anyway, due to stress-parasites-& disease exposure, so in good conscience I'd never buy that one either (but supposedly they have a very mellow temperament, at least). Burrowing snakes don't tend to make outgoing pets, & I much prefer snakes that interact & show themselves.

[Bogertophis]

Great photos, that was a lot of tricky lighting there!

I was thinking about getting Rhino Rat Snakes back in the day, but a zookeeper at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston told me that they had a lot of health issues with theirs...so I passed and went with Black Milk Snakes (legit).

I would imagine that their Rhino rat snakes were w/c imported "back in the day"- that would make health issues likely & a real challenge. Surely someone is captive-breeding them now, & much more is known about their needs. (not that I'm looking for more snakes)

[Homebody]

I still wouldn't want even a pair of Kukris for that or any price. I'm sure someone will though.

Yeah, I'll take a pass on the slashing bites that require stitches to close. I'll stick with my pin pricks.

Too bad about the Calibar being w/c...for every w/c imported snake you see for sale, many more have died from the "process", & many of those that survive to be sold won't make it anyway, due to stress-parasites-& disease exposure, so in good conscience I'd never buy that one either (but supposedly they have a very mellow temperament, at least). Burrowing snakes don't tend to make outgoing pets, & I much prefer snakes that interact & show themselves.

I'll pass on the w/c burrowing python as well. The cbb too for that matter. I want to be able to see my snake.

[Homebody]

A couple more fun notes from the expo:

• I got to handle an Angolan python. Their scales weren't as strongly keeled as I had expected. He had a nice disposition though. Vendor told me that he has a fatty deposit in his neck. I didn't notice it. I wasn't considering buying it, but I appreciate the forthright disclosure. It's the kind of thing that makes me trust a vendor.
• I asked a vendor to tell me about his Chinese King Snake. He responded like he had been waiting his whole life for someone to ask him that question. It wasn't salesmanship. It was pure passion. And it was infectious. I'm still not considering getting one, but, now, I feel like I'm missing out.
• I caught the tail-end of a negotiation for an adult black-headed python. Beautiful animal. The price was $3500. She said she really ought to talk to her spouse first. The salesman responded, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission." She started to walk away. The price dropped to $3000. Though it clearly pained her, she kept going.

[Bogertophis]

Re Chinese king snake (Elaphe Carinata)- you really want a snake that can reach 8' long & is unaffectionately known as a "Stinking Goddess"? Was he selling them, I assume?

It is interesting to overhear the various negotiations. I agree with you about the seller with the Angolan python, though I suppose it could still be a way of covering up something worse, knowing you'd be more apt to trust after one disclosure.

Wise woman to discuss (or at least give more thought) before spending $3000. I don't doubt the temptation though. Reptile Expos are known for killer temptation.

[Homebody]

Re Chinese king snake (Elaphe Carinata)- you really want a snake that can reach 8' long & is unaffectionately known as a "Stinking Goddess"? Was he selling them, I assume?

Yes, he was selling them. So, Ok, maybe there was some salesmanship there. I don't recall him, at any point, using the adjective "stinking" to describe the snake.

[Bogertophis]

Yes, he was selling them. So, Ok, maybe there was some salesmanship there. I don't recall him, at any point, using the adjective "stinking" to describe the snake.

A late friend of mine had one (years ago)- he liked the oddball & difficult snakes (but he stopped at rattlebrats, he left those to me). If I was selling some snakes, I'd not say "stinking" either!

But their musk is (ahem) noteworthy. Now maybe with c/b & gentle handling from the time they're hatched, maybe they rarely or never musk? Must be fun to sex the offspring though? Hey, I never thought rosy boas would ever musk, but one did when I was sexing them, & OMG, it nearly gagged me. So there's that...most snakes can surprise us anyway.

If you get one, we'd love to read your experience with it. Besides the appearance, what did he say that attracted you to this species? When it comes to snakes, I'm all for keeping an open mind...ha, that's what got me keeping rattlebrats for 20 years. They didn't live up to their bad press either.

[Homebody]

Besides the appearance, what did he say that attracted you to this species?

Nothing, but appearance was enough.



Particularly, when they start off looking like this:

.

[Bogertophis]

Well, I vote you should get one, & then give us a thread on raising it. It is interesting to watch snakes change appearance as they grow- I like that about so many of the rat snakes too.