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Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Snake17 on December 11, 2004
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Hi all. I have 2 problems with my T. popeiorum:
1. I`m not sure if it`s a popeiorm or an albolabris. If anybody knows any way that I could figure it out please help me. Any tips on diferentiating them except for the head scales or the hemipenes.
2. I have it since 2 months ago and it hasen`t fed till this day. It`s an 80cm adult.
I`m asking anyone who ever had or who has at this time Trimeresurus for help, especaly on feeding.
Best regards, Alex S.
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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Anonymous post on December 13, 2004
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Note your specimen's scutellation closely. This is the key. Regarding T. albolabris, the first supralabial will be joined partially or entirely to the nasals. Here's some examples:
Trimeresurus albolabris
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Talbolabris13.jpg
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Talbolabris1.jpg
Note how the first scale on the top lip (supralabial) joins with the nasal (scale around the nose). These "joinings" are fusions between the two scales-as if they were melted together.
Regarding popeiorum the first supralabial will be seperated entirely from the nasal as seperate scales. Here's some examples:
Trimeresurus popeiorum
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Tpopeorum11.jpg
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Tpopeorum16.jpg
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Trimeresurusssp1.jpg
Note the seperation. Do you see the difference in the two?
For more info:
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?[REPTILIA-Species:Trimeresurus*]
Feeding:
Your current husbandry methods and circumstances are unknown and subject to question. The different methods described hereafter could be applied to accomodate your situation.
Are endoparasites a possible option? Stess? Husbandry?
For parasites, examine a fresh fecal and treat accordingly. Since your specimen is newly acquired it is probably experiencing some degree of stress. Cover the enclosure, establish a thermal gradient (basking to 85F), and maintain high humidity levels (75-85%). Live or artificial foliage will offer additional cover providing a faint feeling of home.
Appropriately sized rodents may be offered live or thawed as is, or scented w/ frogs, geckos, chicks, or chicken broth (Barkers rule). Secure the prey item in forceps gently tapping the tail and the flanks (NOT THE FACE) of the snake. This technique takes patience and practice. It seldom works the very first time. Prey items may be heated briefly, but should be offered using room temperature foreceps. Learn to use your wrist to simulate various movements (the teasing) as large arm movements may distract the specimen. When your specimen takes it's prey, try not to move until it's eaten. It may also help to practice your methods in the dark. Nightime tease feeding may be accomplished by using a blue, red, or black incandescent light.
Amazing isn't it? And so am I.
-The Phantom
PS Live finches are also useful, cheap, and readily available at your local pet store.
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Snake17 on December 13, 2004
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Hi Phantom(who ever you are)
Thanks for the pics. I knew it in theory but didn`t have close head shots to compare my viper with. It`s a pope, yes, no fuseon between the labial and the rostral. It has the proper caging(branches, plastic leaves and vines), proper heat and humidity, just like you said. It seems to be feeling at home. I fed it twice with live mice. I`ll try again and I`ll also try tease feeding it. I have an excelent paper on that. I`ll also try some finches later in the winter when I can catch them. We don`t usualy find finches for sale in romania. Best regards and the best of luck. Stay safe.
Alex S.
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Snake17 on December 13, 2004
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Can you also tell me if they are sexualy dimorphic ?
Or is the only way to know for sure checking their genitals?
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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Anonymous post on December 13, 2004
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Females may grow slightly larger than males. In female T. popeiorum, their ventrolateral stripe is white. Males possess a bicolored stripe which may be red to burnt orange and white.
Male
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Tpopeorum16.jpg
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/Popes11.jpg
Female
http://www.coastalreptiles.com/popetree.jpg
Be sure and thank Mardi @ Coastal Reptiles for letting us use his pics.
-The Phantom
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Snake17 on December 14, 2004
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Thanks loads for the help. The pics are superb. Yeh, mine`s a female, only it has light blue stripes along the flancs not white. I won`t ask anymore questions. I`m realy greatfull for your help. I read that females eat more easily than males. Anyway, I don`t think I`ll buy any more arboreal vipers too soon. Even if they are some of the most beautyfull snakes. Best regards, Alex S.
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Dadee on December 14, 2004
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Oh my gosh...did I catch the phantom in a slip up? Could it be? I quote: "It may also help to practice your methods in the dark. Nightime tease feeding may be accomplished by using a blue, red, or black incandescent light.
Amazing isn't it? And so am I." Uh, can we say...DANGER WILL ROBINSON...DANGER? My hands and arms, fingers, etc are a little too valuable for me to practice tease feeding in the dark. Even though you might be speaking of using colored lighting, nothing can replace the sight you have under normal lighting conditions.
I am obviously not of the same caliber as "the phantom", however, on the common sense front, I fear for you Phantom. Don't take this as a "You're jumping on me" thing. I'm merely pointing out that such a task should NEVER be undertaken by those laymen who have come to our site to ask for "safety" advice. Keep in mind now, that all of these hots do have a quickness that far exceeds ours. I'm in no way advocating such practices, as to put yourself in harms way. Tease feeding must always utilize "LONG" forceps...since your can't judge the distance in low light situations or normal lighting for that matter.
Just my point of view...but worth another glance.
Cheers Phantom,
Matt
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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Anonymous post on December 14, 2004
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10/4. That's a double negative "Ghost Rider". Double negative. The Phantom did not slip up. The Phantom NEVER slips up.
Arboreal vipers are nocturnal. Night time tease feeding allows one to offer all the manipulating feeding techniques in a completely different set of conditions. The darkness may be the only simulated variable to work towards your advantage. Venomous reptile captive maintenance holds risks to various degrees. This applies to everyone. Anytime you interract with your animals, you may be bitten. The Phantom expects you to use your head. If you can't see the specimen clearly to safely conduct the procedure then by all means....don't do it. It's safe and it works. Try it. Visibility seems to be the highest using red incandescent bulbs.
Everso damn perfect, witty, and wise...
-The Phantom
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RE: Trimeresurus popeiorum
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by Snake17 on December 15, 2004
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1.The same night time tease feeding thing is suggested in the shhs tease feeding treatee and there for the shhs recomends this, right ?
2.I am not quite a beginner, I do have 5 years of hot herping experience which to my opinion, isn`t so little.
3. I am fully capable of judging the strike range of a snake.
4. Unfortunatly I don`t have any long forceps but I will use my short ones and I will wear thick leather gloves.
5 I don`t know if the Phantom is never wrong, but to my opinion he hasn`t been wrong yet.
Best regards to all...Alex S.
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