17th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Growth Rates of African Brown House Snakes
Amber N. Stratman
Dr. Don Kangas, Faculty Mentor
Growth rates of four captive African brown house snakes (Lamprophis fuliginosus) were studied, two females and two males, for a minimum of two years. Neonates were assumed to weigh approximately 7 grams and were hatched from eggs weighing approximately 7g. Males reached their average maximum size (50 to 82 grams) in 664 to 718 days, while females took (195 to 250 grams) 778 to 1521 days. The animals on average consumed 1,140 g of mice during the study (570 g for males; 1,690 g for females). This amounted to 7.2 to 12.2 grams per 30 days for males and 24.3 to 29.8 g per 30 days for females. Males refused food more frequently than females (3.8 g per 30 days for males; 2.8 g per 30 days for females). The average time between sheds for females was 40.8 days, while males shed at an average interval of 31.4 days.
Keywords: Brown House Snakes, growth rates, consumption of mice, average sheds, males are smaller, females are larger, four snakes in study, average maximum size
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 26-48
Location: OP Lobby & Atrium
Time: 1:15