Ophidian Research Colony

Dr. Neil B. Ford, Director
(903) 566-7249
nford@uttyler.edu

The University of Texas at Tyler Ophidian Research Colony (ORC) was established in 1989 as a mechanism to surplus excess neonate snakes to scientific researchers around the country. It was an outgrowth of research conducted in the department of biology which focused on the influence of energy intake on the reproductive traits of snakes. Within just a few years several ethologists were using snakes produced in the laboratory and several embryologists were using eggs of oviparous species kept in the colony. One of the unique aspects of the colony that made it particularly useful to researchers was the fact that neonates and eggs were available on a year-round basis.

Researchers in the U T Tyler laboratory began to expand their research to include snakes in other families and subfamilies. With the help of a number of zoos and private individuals, several other species of snake that breed well and thrive in the laboratory were selected. The snakes were also selected to represent a diversity of families with some emphasize placed on taxonomically long-chain forms or poorly known subfamilies. In addition, the laboratory became self-sufficient in terms of funding through the sale of surplus neonates. Income from the colony currently funds four undergraduate workers each semester. Travel grants for speakers and for researchers conducting short-duration research experiments on animals in the colony have been given several times in the last 3 years. Students and faculty have also been funded to present research conducted in the facility at scientific meetings. In October of 1998 a symposium of international snake ecologists and ethologists held in Tyler was sponsored by the ORC.

In 1998, a "Friends of the Ophidian Research Colony" endowment was established to provide consistent funding for the ORC. Donations from former students, interested individuals and foundations have been solicited and are welcome.

Research Faculty

Neil B. Ford, Professor of Biology
Research interests: reproductive energetics in snakes

Ronald L. Gutberlet, Jr., Assistant Professor of Biology
Research interests: phylogenetic systematics of vipers

William Lamar, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
Research interests: tropical ecology

Clay Garrett, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
Research interests: behavior in snakes and monitors

Robert Ball, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology
Research interests: courtship behavior in snakes

Species Currently Maintained in the Colony (those with * are reproducing as of 1998)

Colubridae
Checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus)*
Brown house snake (Lamprophis fuliginosis)*
Trinket snake (Elaphe helena)*
Chinese corn snake (Elaphe rufodorsata)*
Radiated snake (Elaphe radiata)*
Egyptian diadem snake (Spalerosophis diadema)*
Madagascar Cat-eyed snake (Madagascarophis colubrina)*
Madagascar Giant Hognose snake (Leioheterodon madagascarensis)
Northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus)*

Pythonidae
Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria)*
Spotted python (Anterisia maculosis)*
Mexican new world python (Loxocemus bicolor)
Calabar burrowing python (Calabaria reinhardtii)
Sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis concolor)

Viperidae
Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)*

How to apply to use these snakes.
Prepare and submit a brief proposal to the director of the Ophidian Research Colony, which includes the experimental design, significance of research, statement of qualifications of investigator(s), and a statement of approval from the animal care and use committee from the home institution. Proposal should also include the species and number of individuals requested and dates needed. Approved research proposals will be filed with the University of Texas at Tyler and the researcher's home institution. Cooperative Agreements to establish other species in the U. T. Tyler colony are encouraged.

Investigators are encouraged to contact the director prior to submitting a proposal to discuss the proposed research. (903) 566-7249 or nford@uttyler.edu

Submit proposal to:

Dr. Neil Ford
Department of Biology
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799