Loxocemus bicolor arrived...

[nyx]

Well, she's not a colubrid, python, or boa - so where else would I post this?

So after a long and interesting trip to Edmonton, in which I discovered that I can almost never find an exit BEFORE I pass it...

0.1 AD LTC <i>Loxocemus bicolor</i> from Phil Blais, kindly shipped up by Grant of PCPC...

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I apologize for the poor quality; taking pictures of new acquisitions is always tricky, as I ideally want to do it as fast as possible to avoid stressing the snake. In the brief time I was able to handle her, she seems like a real sweetie, though - and I noticed that they have an interesting habit of flattening out their bodies against the bottom of the enclosure to escape being picked up.

She still remains unnamed and unpaired, but hopefully I'll be able to import some mates from the US - I'm already looking at a couple of dealers. Anyone else working with this species? I'd love to compare notes.

[CyberGhost]

um what is it? I've never seen a snake like that or heard of it, do myn explains what it is. Where it came from so on?

[LdyDrgn]

Some other names are "Mexican Burrowing python", "New Wolrd python" and "New World Sunbeam snake".

Pages with info and pics:

VPI

Rio Bravo

Glasgow Zoo

[nyx]

<i>Loxocemus bicolor</i> - the New World sunbeam snake or New World burrowing snake - is a monotypic snake from South America, monotypic meaning that there's only one in the genus - it's not grouped with any other snakes. They're shy, burrowing snakes, egg-layers, which grow about 3-4' long and readily take rodents in captivity. They're rare in the US and even more rare in Canada, as usual...I like them because they're highly iridescent, though perhaps not as much as <i>Xenopeltis</i> - the other [true] sunbeam snakes - but the New World sunbeam snake is a gentle and easy-to-keep captive, unlike <i>Xenopeltis</i>. The young of the species are a uniform dark brown, but as you can see on my girl, they develop white splotches along their bodies as they mature - probably for camouflage purposes. The nose is upturned and pointed for digging, the scales are very soft and silky, and the snake is a pleasure to handle.

Anything else?

[nyx]

Calling it a New World python is technically incorrect - though it was once grouped with them, it really isn't part of Pythonidae, and using that common name creates confusion.

[CyberGhost]

thanx alot. I really had no clue what it was.

[unknownclown]

is it one of these?

http://www.cryptozoology.com/gallery...5&c=1054250780

this is also labeled a sunbeam snake and I would love to get my hands on one of them its just gorgeous!

[Tim and Julie B]

Cool snake. Nice to see something different for a change. BTW nice avatar.

[nyx]

Nope, that's <i>Xenopeltis unicolor</i> - the other sunbeam snake.

[LdyDrgn]

Calling it a New World python is technically incorrect - though it was once grouped with them, it really isn't part of Pythonidae, and using that common name creates confusion.

I know this, but to those who are looking for more info because they have never heard of such an animal, it is good to offer other used common names. They may not be Pythonidae, but most do consider it a boid.

[CyberGhost]

Beutiful snake, kinda odd looking but that makes it all the more [for lack of a better word] wantable. Call me a copy catt but how much did it cost and where did you get it?LOL I'm just joking but I might be intrested in the future of getting one. So plz give me the price and place you got it if you would? If from a pet store can anyone give me a link to a breeder or soemthing I wanna do some research.

[vanderkm]

Congrats on the new addition Nyx, very nice to see a few more unusual species around and you have a very nice collection from the photos I recall you posting in the past. Your grey ratsnake is absolutely gorgeous too. Hope this one settles in great for you,

mary v.

[nyx]

Originally posted by CyberGhost
Beutiful snake, kinda odd looking but that makes it all the more [for lack of a better word] wantable. Call me a copy catt but how much did it cost and where did you get it?LOL I'm just joking but I might be intrested in the future of getting one. So plz give me the price and place you got it if you would? If from a pet store can anyone give me a link to a breeder or soemthing I wanna do some research.

No, not from a petstore. I got this one from Mr. Phil Blais down in Montreal - but they're a rare species in captivity, and I doubt you'd find any more for sale in Canada. [And if you do, I have first dibs. ] Price was excellent, and that's all I'm gonna say about that...it's a shame they are so rare, because I think they'd make wonderful pets - she seems very calm, and they don't grow very large.

As for breeder links, several were provided above.

[CyberGhost]

Well I will just go to mexico, which is about an 6 hour drive and catch me one maybe two then I will breed them and sale them and then they won't be so rare. LOL, but I really do want one.

[Lisa]

Interesting looking snake Nyx. Their rareness makes them a little more desirable.