Possible Flower pot snake.. Ramphotyphlops braminus??

[Quintin]

Hi All,

Please help me ID. I got this little blind snake on a call out. I thinks its a Possible Flower pot snake.. Ramphotyphlops braminus. If it is in fact this species, then this is quite a find for me. According to my field guides, they aren't supposed to be in our area (Fochville, North West). The are parthenogenetic meaning that the are all female, but can fertilize themselves without the help of a "male". These snakes were introduced from Asia, and because of being parthenogenetic, they established themselves in small parts of South Africa and even Brazil. Thats why it would be quite important to me if this snake is in fact ID'd as a flower pot snake.

The snake was brought into a gentlemans house by he's pet cat! Its busted up a little but will survive.

Here are some pics. Not the greatest... sorry about the quality.













Regards,

Quintin

[Quintin]

No worries guys.... it seems its not a Flower Pot snake, but rather a Delandes beaked blind snake - Rhinotyphlops lalandei... Still a nice little find none the less..

[F1refly]

Aren't Flower Pot snakes actually Exotic? Or was it another species? I know there was one that was exotic and can now be found in SA. Question: If an Exotic snake establishes itself in SA, can we legally collect them from the wild seeing as they are not technically "Local"? I've always wondered what the legalities are concerning this.

[Bushviper]

Firefly you can collect exotics that are found in the wild. That is why you do not require a permit for a Mynah bird, Ring necked parrot or a European starling if you go catch them, however if the bird migrates then it is considered indigenous and is protected. If you catch the Grey squirrels that you find in the Western Cape you also do not require a permit for them in all the other provinces (I think the Cape might protect them I am not sure).