Is that one of the back-fanged tribe?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Thomas E. Eichhorst [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 7:57 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Limacus flavus and a human being
>
> Well, since no one asked, the Opheodryas vernalis referred to by Paul is
> the
> smooth green snake.  A gentle little creature no bigger around than a
> child's finger - a small child - like a small two year old.  They do not
> eat
> slugs that I am aware of, but I wouldn't be surprised to see slugs and
> small
> snails on their menu that mostly consists of bugs.  Thousands of these are
> collected each year and sold to unsuspecting people who see a small, cute,
> quite pretty snake.  All, or at least 99% die.  They are extremely
> difficult
> to keep.  I have a friend who is one of the few people I know who has had
> success.  His is used in displays we do for the park service and others on
> native herps.
>
> As for the shell part.  Just to report to folks.  I (as all of you know
> and
> probably do not want to hear again) have been working on a nerite book.
> In
> conjunction with that, Harry Lee was kind enough to send me some live
> Vitta
> usnea (better known to most as Neritina reclivata).  I put these small
> nerites in two fish tanks and they have done very well.  After a week of
> eating the algae off the glass they started laying eggs.  There are
> hundreds
> of eggs in both tanks.  None have hatched as yet - I expect a three to
> four
> week period will be needed.  There is some added interest here as I have
> read this is the only nerite with direct development instead of hatching
> into a free swimming veliger.  So we shall see.
>
> These are not the only nerites to find themselves in fish tanks.  In
> Singapore they sell Vittina coromandeliana (a white and black guy often
> sold
> as Neritina zic zac - there is no such creature).  Anyway, these are sold
> to
> go in fish tanks.  They are rather striking looking and I am surprised
> they
> haven't made it to the pet market here.
>
> Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA (new puppy added to the family, likes to
> sniff the bags of shells but so far hasn't taken off with any)
>
>
> Emilio,
>
> Hate to burst your security bubble, but a co-worker of mine received a
> sizable settlement after finding a piece of an Opheodrys vernalis in a CAN
> of green beans.  You may not know what that is, but Tom Eichhorst does :-)
>
> Paul M.