Natrix

[Stefan-A]

How common are the species Natrix tessellata (dice snake) and N. maura (viperine snake) on the European market? Are they for example often present at shows like the one in Hamm? Does anybody breed them? Does anybody here have any experience with them?

Just so you know, I'm not an impulsive (or compulsive) buyer. I just like exploring alternatives. :)

[zooplan]

These are not so often presented on shows but you should find breeders of both species easily.
Check this classified section:
Schlangengrube.de :: Annoncen - (http://www.schlangengrube.de/modules/inserate/index.php)

[Snaky]

I've seen Natrix maura some times on shows, but haven't seen Natrix tessellata. As Udo says, there are quite some breeders and you can usually meet at shows with them.

[reptileparadise]

Have never seen Natrix tessellata on shows, but N. maura are quite easy to find. I bred them myself. But I sold my adults...

[Stefan-A]

..so apparently I'll be getting a pair of N. maura in a few months. :rolleyes: Unless something happens.

[reptileparadise]

We expect pictures in a couple of months then!

Maura are fun little snakes. Always hissing...but they never seem to bite...

[Stefan-A]

So I've read. :) And that they'll do mock strikes. But I don't know whether they'll play dead, like Natrix natrix.

Never heard a garter hiss, but our local grass snakes do it all the time. Pretty random comment, I know. :D

[adamanteus]

At one time you could always find tessellata in the UK pet trade, but I haven't seen them for years now. I kept Natrix maura in the past, a friend of mine caught while on holiday and brought it home for me. It was a lovely snake.

[reptileparadise]

So I've read. :) And that they'll do mock strikes. But I don't know whether they'll play dead, like Natrix natrix.

Never heard a garter hiss, but our local grass snakes do it all the time. Pretty random comment, I know. :D


I've never seen mine play dead...
I've seen it once in a young parietalis...Scared the crap out of me!

[larean]

I have one (young) right now. He hasn't played dead(yet) but he is very good at musking and hissing/puffing up. Which is probably why he is called the viperine snake.
I personally think they are beautiful, maybe even more than garters. Weird thing to say, but he looks much more 'at home' in his surroundings, unlike my parietalises.
Very subtle markings as well.

It eats like a pig, and just about everything too: cat food, fish, worms, pinkies etc.

According to the breeder I got it from, maura is a very good fish hunter, which is why he recommends keeping them in an aquaterrarium.

This is his site:

Natrix maura - algemene informatie (http://home.hetnet.nl/~stormp/waterslangen/natrix_maura_info.html)

It is in Dutch, but you will find some nice pictures of snakes/terraria.

Mine is the baby of the reddish/brown female of which you will find a picture on the site(huisvesting)

[Stefan-A]

Thanks for the link. :) Doesn't matter that it's in Dutch, I can still make sense of the text. :)

[larean]

Is Finnish a lot like Dutch? Or are you just good with languages? (or you can read Dutch of course:).

[Stefan-A]

No, Finnish is nothing like Dutch. But fortunately my first language is Swedish. :D

The Germanic languages are pretty similar, it's not so difficult for me as long as it's written text.

[larean]

Ah:)
(Pity a message can't be shorter than 10 characters. I understand it, but it does rule out a whole range of dry remarks)

[reptileparadise]

No, Finnish is nothing like Dutch. But fortunately my first language is Swedish. :D

The Germanic languages are pretty similar, it's not so difficult for me as long as it's written text.

Ah, I noticed something like that as well. FOr me its quite easy to read! danish, swedish or norwegian...Understanding is something completely different...

They are very aquatic indeed. Unlike most thamnophis that just try and grab a fish under water, you can actually see N maura "smell" under water. They will actually search for fish and lunge at them when they come close. Very cool to see and defenitly worth making a big transparent waterbowl!

[Stefan-A]

Unfortunately(?) it wouldn't be legal to let them hunt vertebrates. But it would be fun to watch.

They really do look a lot like some North American watersnakes and the more aquatic garters, like rufipunctatus for example. Similar heads and coloration.

[jeanette]

im off to the doncaster IHS show tomorrow so i will have a look around and see if they are available here in the uk :)

[ssssnakeluvr]

I want some natrix natrix.....:cool:

[adamanteus]

I want some natrix natrix.....:cool:

Don, be patient!;)

[ssssnakeluvr]

Don, be patient!;)

God give me patience.....NOW!!!!!!! :D

[drache]

are you getting them, Don?
I was going to get some last year, but then I got so many garters, and the babies came . . .
but I do know somebody
still thinking about it too

[ssssnakeluvr]

I am working on it.....hopefully this year!!!!

[Stefan-A]

I want some natrix natrix.....:cool:
Who doesn't? :D

I can't get any, though, because they're a domestic species and permits are required and then you have to come up with a better excuse than that "they're cool". :rolleyes: