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A. piscivorous Age Records
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by ALA_snake33 on October 2, 2006
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In some of my old Books, I have seen cases of Cottonmouth Living to the Ripe Old Age of 25 Years. Dose anyone know if their have been reported cases of piscivorous Living any longer than this? I am asking this, because the Snake I found Dead in the Road the other Morning, looked to be very, very Old. It just makes me wonder how Old they actually get.
Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally
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RE: A. piscivorous Age Records
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by Cro on October 2, 2006
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Wally, a few months ago I posted a link here to my friend Frank Slavens Web Site. He was / is the curator of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington.
For years Frank maintained records of longivity of captive reptiles in Zoo and Private Collections, (often zoo keepers private collections).
He has not added to his web site in a few years, but fortunatly, he keeps its listed on the web. He stopped keeping records as a bunch of zoos did not respond to his yearly updates.
He lists the longivity of a Cottomouth as 21 years, but that snake could be still alive. He stopped keeping records about 5 years ago. That snake could be 27 years old now, and could have been an adult when it was captured.
Even though Frank does not add to the site, it is still a great resource, and it is great that he keeps the site going after all these years.
Check it out at:
http://www.pondturtle.com/lsnaked.html#Agkistrodon
Frank Slavens was great at keeping records like this, and they are still there to help folks.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: A. piscivorous Age Records
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by earthguy on October 3, 2006
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Wally,
What do you mean the snake "looked old"? I have found several smallish cottonmouths that were emaciated, melanisitc (with a powdery coating), that creaked and popped when handled. I thought at first that they must be old, but I couldn't account for their smallish size. After some consideration I came to the conclusion that perhaps those particular snakes had some vitamin/mineral defficiency. I haven't yet been able to test my hypothesis, but if other people are seeeing the same things that I am, then the issue might bear further investigation.
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RE: A. piscivorous Age Records
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by Cro on October 3, 2006
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Wally, I know what you mean about snakes ``looking old.`` There are subtle changes in the shape of the head and body proportioning, and a skin texture that is different. When you look at the timber rattlesnake that I have had for over 25 years, which was probably 7 to 10 years old when he was captured, you will see this ``age`` compared to the younger adult timbers.
We see the same thing in very old crocodiles, alligators and turtles.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: A. piscivorous Age Records
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by ALA_snake33 on October 3, 2006
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Joshua: The Scales on the Cottonmouth I mentioned above, were very rough in comparison to any other Cottonmouth I have caught in the Past. This Snake was 4Ft. 8In. Long, with a Dark Olive Brown Color, and had Very Dark Black in between the Bands. Its Scales were sticking up at the Tips and these Scales were Scared very badly, it was One of the roughest looking A. p. leucostoma I have ever found, and it was also the Biggest One I have ever found “Western that is”. So, you can see were I got the idea that this was a very Old Snake.
John: I know what you mean, by being able to see the Age in some Snakes. I caught a A. c. mokasen, about 4 Years ago, that had that Old Man look to it. Its Colors were starting to fade very badly, shoot, the Snake was looking more like a Cottonmouth. I would figure that Snake to have been at least 13 Years Old.
Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally
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RE: A. piscivorous Age Records
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by Atrox788 on October 6, 2006
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Its pretty safe to say any Agkistrodon can live 20 yrs plus. As for cottonmouth records, I have no idea. Coppers are known to live 35 yrs plus so I wouldnt doubt a cotton could reach 25.
Most cold tolerant snakes i.e North American and European/Asian snakes have very hi longevity and it may be in part to the need for hibernation. They spend such a long time in basicly suspended animation.
I know there are estimates of V.buerus reaching 40+yrs and still being alive to this day. Some Herpetologist think the Chapple Island Tiger snakes (which every feed on mutton birds. Ther are soo many island forms of that snake I dont remeber which is which O.o)are the oldest snakes on earth. Some specimens are estimated at 60+ yrs O.O atleast from what I have read.
Just for the record I THINK the oldest snakes ever documented was a boa that lived some 42 yrs in captivity O.O
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