melanota/dendrophila

[ian14]

I have recently aquired a pair of young CB mangroves. I would be very grateful if soemone could explain the difference between melanota and dendrophila. I have tried to research this but am struggling!

Thanks!
Ian

[chris]

Hi Ian,

there are some differences which are sometimes hard to find and sometimes very easy to see. The first things are the bands/spots. Dendrophila has bands that run all around the snakes body or at least untill the spine. Melanota has no bands, but more like yellow spots or markings. The second things is the belly of the snake. With melanota the belly is very dark and hasn't much yellow spots. Dendrophila has a lot of yellow. Especially in the neck. The third thing I always look at is the head. Melanota has a clear border between the yellow and black coloration. Dendrophila has some yellow spots around the eye. Melanota never has. And there's always scalecounts and you could count the rings and so on. Here it goes:

Dendrophila:
- bands on the body: 37 - 53
- bands on the tail: 13 - 20
- ventrals: 212 - 227
- subcaudals: 95 - 105

Melanota:
- bands on the body: 21 - 41
- bands on the tail: 7 - 13
- ventrals: 202 - 239
- subcaudals: 89 - 110

Hope this will work for you, Ian.
Maybe you could upload some pictures of your animals?

Chris

[ian14]

Thanks Chris!!

Once they have both settled in I will try to get some photos!
The female has settled in and feeds every time I offer her food, the male has only just taken his second feed with me (and only the third since hatching 6 weeks ago!!)