"Chinese Garters" (Oocatochus Rufodorsatus)

[mb90078]

From what I see posted here, it sure seems to me like they are filling the niche that Thamnophis, Nerodia, Natrix, etc fill in Europe and the US, rather than being a rat snack with slightly peculiar tendencies. Especially the fact that they seem resistant to take pinkies unless being scented, just doesn't seem right for an animal that is essentially a rat snake.

But the interesting question would be whether they are more closely related to Nerodia and Thamnophis, or is it just an example of convergent evolution.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I would say they are not closely related and we are seeing convergent evolution... Pretty much every area has it's own type of snake or two to fill the semi aquatic niche. While many of them are very different, they all seem to share similar habits, especially the habit of wanting to spontaneously grab anything that flops about like a fish! The only snakes I know that do that are these types. A lot of times the only way I can convince a stubborn water snake to eat a pinky is by flopping it with my tongs while it's wet. Works like a charm! Same with my liophis! I would imagine any species that prefers the semi aquatic lifestyle learned to do this because when there is a fish or tadpole flopping in the shallows, it's either grab it quickly or it's gone!!! The only thing it would do to any of my rat snakes, kings, milks, or other typical colubrids would be to royally tick them off and get their tails rattling! But much like semi aquatic snakes and chasing after things that flop, most all of my rat snakes and misc colubrids, from the new world and the old, shake their tails with anger and excitement. And then there is my chondro who uses her tail as a caudal lure, just the same as the copperhead does!

[ConcinusMan]

And then there is my chondro who uses her tail as a caudal lure, just the same as the copperhead does!

You know, I've see Coluber constrictor do that to lure lizards, in the mountains of NE California. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. And it almost worked. Lizards did pay attention and come closer.

[kimbosaur]

Well, despite the fact that they sound like a neat alternative, I think I will be passing on these babies. The guy had a very large list of reptiles that seems to keep changing - including some south american garters at one point. He told me he is located in Ottawa and ships reptiles to Toronto. In this case, there really isn't anything that would stop him from taking my money and not sending me anything at all. There isn't even a name attached to the email. Just too sketchy for me!