Snakes Without Scales

In the depths of Leicestershire, there is very well-respected reptile shop called Scales & Tails, which is run by David Cooke. Dave usually has some really interesting species available, and just recently, Scales and Tails became possibly the first UK establishment to welcome the scaleless Texas rat snake into its inventory. These snakes essentially lack scales over their entire bodies, with their skin having an amazingly smooth appearance, although usually, there are a few odd scales remaining, which give them a kind of "bejewelled" appearance.

The mutation is a simple autosomal recessive, and the heterozygous animals are therefore entirely normal in appearance. Dave is very keen to point out that although these snakes do not have the scales of a typical colubrid, they are no different, in terms of shedding, eating, drinking and their overall level of activity. “There is nothing other than their appearance that distinguishes them from a normal colubrid,” he adds.

I have noticed that there were some very mixed opinions about these snakes online, and I suppose they are not for everyone. Many people seem to take the view that snakes evolved scales for a reason, and it is rather unethical and unnecessary to breed animals that lack them. In my opinion though, these animals appear to be totally problem-free and as long as it stays that way, I don’t think there is a worry. They cost £1200 each. It is also worth mentioning that scaleless corn snakes are also becoming increasingly popular in the US and Europe at present, and it will only be a matter of time before a large number of people are working with them in the UK.

Vetark Professional Launch New Website

Vetark Professional is pleased to announce the launch of its new website www.vetark.co.uk which now incorporates Noahs Cupboard, the Vetark web shop. This sells the diff erent ranges of Vetark Health Products for reptiles, birds, small animals, cats, dogs, wild birds, fi sh and also off ers other pet accessories.

The telephone number for Vetark - 01962 844316 - remains unchanged.

Amazing finds from Madagascar

There has been a remarkable upsurge in Madagascar’s amphibian population, following a recent survey. The number of amphibians found on this island, lying off the south-eastern side of Africa, stood at around 200 species. Some 80% of the primary rainforest there has now been destroyed. Nevertheless, scientists have just announced that they have discovered up to 200 species of previously-unidentifi ed amphibians there following a detailed search, eff ectively doubling the island’s total.

Some of these new finds were made within the country’s existing natural parks, although even in these areas, illegal logging is a major problem, posing a potential threat to their future. What is particularly significant is that the vast majority of these previously unrecorded amphibian species, as with so much of Madagascar’s wildlife, are endemic whichmeans they are found nowhere else on the planet.