Dangerous but a hobbyist favorite, the East African Gaboon Viper.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

The Gaboon Vipers, often referred to as Gaboon Adders

At one time the Gaboon Viper, Bitis gabonica, contained 2 subspecies, the east African, Bitis gabonica gabonica, and the West African, Bitis gabonica rhinoceros. The two were of pretty similar appearance, the most noticeable difference being dark facial markings and the length of the vertical nasal projections. The East African race has 2 facial markings, a suborbital triangle or spot and a diagonal temporal triangle and short horns while the West African beauty had only the diagonal temporal triangle (it lacked the suborbital spot) and long horns. The two were ostensibly capable of interbreeding.

Then along came genetics and what was one species became 2, but the external differentiating factors remained the same. Genetically, it is thought that the West African Gaboon Viper is more closely allied to the very different appearing Rhinoceros Viper than to its East African lookalike. Call them what you choose, I’ll stick with the Linnaean subspecies concept.

East African Gaboon Viper, Bitis gabonica gabonica. Everything about this snake is “very.” Very large (4 ½ -5 ½ feet long). Females are larger than males. This very heavy bodied, very well camouflaged snake that is very dangerous, very beautiful, has very short nasal protuberances (often merely a pair of bumps at the tip of the snout), and a very wide range (forest and savanna habitats) from Benin to western Kenya and south to Zimbabwe and Zululand. Food is primarily of small mammals. Only one dark triangle on each side of face. There is no suborbital spot or blotch.

They give birth to live young that may number from as few as 5 to more than 40. Neonates are 10-12 inches in length.

Gaboons may move in a typical side to side motion but are more inclined to use a straight rectilinear movement, being slowly propelled forward by ventral scale motion.

Note the enlarged rostral scale and position of the eyes on the Arabian Sand Boa.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Sand boas of various types have been hobbyist favorites for decades. Perhaps foremost in the lineup has been the Kenya sand boa. But other species have also paraded through. Rough-scales, Mueller’s. European and others have all had their “15 minutes” of fame. But way back on the “tag end” of the lineup has been the coolest sand boa of all. This is the Arabian Sand Boa, a species truly specialized for life in and beneath the sands of the arid Arabian Peninsula and Iran.

Having an adult length of about 15 inches, the Arabian Sand Boa, Eryx (Gongylophis to some) jayakeri, is one of, if not THE, smallest member of this group. The eyes are small and are set high on the head rather than on the sides. With its wide, wedge-shaped rostral (nose-tip) scale and snout, this little snake is a streamlined burrower that needs only to show its eyes to watch for the approach of lizards and other prey items. During the heat of the day the snake is usually deeper in the substrate than during the comparative coolness of evening.

The ground color of this tiny boa is sand tan, gray, or orangish. It is profusely marked dorsally and laterally with dark bands, half bands, or blotches. These markings narrow as they near the lower sides.

An egg-laying species, clutch size is between 2 and 7 eggs. Incubation is said to be ~66 days. I am unaware of the size of the hatchlings but they are said to be so small that they have difficulty eating newborn pinky mice.

This is an adult Royal Rat Snake.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Of the Diadem Snakes, it is Spalerosophis atriceps the Black-headed or Royal Rat Snake that is most sought by hobbyists. A pretty but quietly colored snake, the ground color may vary from sand gray to orange. It has irregular dark blotches and spots both dorsally and laterally. The spotting may be reddish on juveniles but darkens as the snake ages. The head may be black or black and tan dorsally and the face may be orange to red, with or without black. The belly may be unmarked white or small dark blotches may be present.

These snakes are weak constrictors at best, and often smother live prey, such as a mouse, by grasping and holding it by the nose while laying body coils atop the rodent.

This snake may bite if carelessly restrained or otherwise frightened.

Adults may exceed 6 feet by a few inches. Hatchlings are 12 to 14 inches long.

Once commonly bred in the USA, the Royal Rat Snake is now rather infrequently seen. Many who have successfully bred this species have provided a several weeks winter brumation with temperatures in the mid 50sF. A clutch normally contains between 3 and 12 eggs.

India and Pakistan comprise the range of this snake.

The "spindly" legs of spider geckos were always apparent.
By Dick and Patti Bartlett

Although the Spider Gecko, also known as the Persian Spider gecko, Agamura persica for those of you scientifically inclined, was never particularly common in the pet industry, it was once at least sporadically available. As is suggested by both its common and species name, it ranges widely in Iran (also Pakistan and Afghanistan) Today (2021 it seems that it is one of the many reptile and amphibian species lost to the herp-hobby.

This is a sand-gray colored gecko, slender of body and long of leg and tail. The tail accounts for a little less than half of the Spider Gecko’s 5 to 6 inch length. Adult males are often a bit larger than the females. Males have noticeable hemipenial bulges.

This gecko is not particularly fast but is said to be quite agile as it moves about its rocky arid homeland. It is said to be active at temperatures between 60 and 95F. Captives quickly grew accustomed to close approach and would stand statue-still until actually touched. Like many other gecko species Spider geckos are primarily both crepuscular and nocturnal, but occasionally foraged and basked diurnally.

It is oviparous.

We hope you have enjoyed this short journey into our bygone days of herpetoculture.