Green Swamp Herpetological

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Green Swamp Herpetological Captive breeder of boas and pythons dealing with several different species of reptiles since 2002.

Green Swamp Herpetological LLC was formed in 2013 by Russell Lawson Jr, after having kept and bred several different reptile species since 2002. Our current focus is primarily on boas and pythons, but we have plans to expand the collection to include several other species of reptiles in the near future. Our goal is to produce some of the highest quality examples of the animals we work with. We als

o strive to educate people about the animals we sell and work with, and are happy to help share information on captive husbandry, natural history, and genetics and other biology topics to our customers and other inquiring individuals.

Our pair of Morelia bredli (Bredl's or Centralian Pythons) were looking good cuddled up yesterday.
29/03/2026

Our pair of Morelia bredli (Bredl's or Centralian Pythons) were looking good cuddled up yesterday.

If you've known me long enough and we were talking snakes, there's a really good chance you've heard me mention this spe...
29/09/2025

If you've known me long enough and we were talking snakes, there's a really good chance you've heard me mention this species at some point as a dream animal. I have been interested in these guys as long as I have been keeping snakes - before these were even considered their own species. I'm so thrilled to finally be working with an F1 CBB Leiopython meridionalis- the Southern Whitelipped Python! The southern species occurs south of the central mountain range on New Guinea. Whereas the northern L. albertisii have a golden color that creeps up their sides, these guys hatch a kind of ashy brown-black, then turn deep black with striking iridescence as they grow (you can already see some of this iridescence in the outdoor photos, but it is difficult to capture on camera). These are also the larger of the two, and the less common to see in captivity, though more breeders seem to be having success with them in recent years. I look forward to finding a male for her in the next year or so. (A few other species have been named from other locales, but I am not familiar with them, and I am unaware of any examples that exist in captivity in the US).

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPJtuxYDUZd/?igsh=eWhrZ2R3Y2g5bXNy

The other week, we got to egg-sit for a friend who was out of town. Had the pleasure of getting to watch 2 beautiful Spo...
29/09/2025

The other week, we got to egg-sit for a friend who was out of town. Had the pleasure of getting to watch 2 beautiful Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) hatch! The second one had a little trouble, and flipped on its back a couple times (see photo #3) while working its way out. The only assistance I provided was flipping it back rightside up. Really cool little guys!


https://www.instagram.com/p/DO35b1cideK/?igsh=d2Q5OTJsaDkzMzdl

27/08/2024

🚨 🚨 HUGE NEWS‼️ 🚨 🚨

Memphis Zoo Scientists Achieve World-First in Reptile Conservation

Memphis Zoo scientists have made a groundbreaking achievement in the field of conservation with the first reptile offspring to be successfully produced using frozen semen and artificial insemination. This scientific milestone marks a significant advancement in the zoo’s ongoing efforts to recover the endangered Louisiana pinesnake and underscores the critical role of science in conservation.

The Memphis Zoo’s Science team, led by Dr. Steve Reichling, Beth Roberts, and previous post-doctoral scientist Dr. Mark Sandfoss, has accomplished a world-first by using cryopreserved (frozen) semen to successfully fertilize and produce viable offspring in a Louisiana pinesnake. This success was achieved within the framework of the zoo's Louisiana pinesnake species recovery program, emphasizing the zoo's commitment to species conservation through innovative scientific methods.

A Milestone in Reptile Conservation-
Historically, the concept of the "Frozen Zoo" has primarily focused on mammals, birds, and recently amphibians with reptiles often overlooked. However, this successful production of offspring using artificial insemination and frozen-thawed semen in an endangered snake species demonstrates the potential use of biobanking and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in reptile conservation worldwide.

“The emergence of these 3 hatchlings summed up 5 years of reproductive research and 30 years of Memphis Zoo's use of cutting-edge science and dedication to save the Louisiana pinesnake from extinction. This achievement brought us one step closer to routinely integrating assisted reproductive technology into reptile conservation to preserve genetics and save species,” said Beth Roberts, Senior Reproductive Scientist at Memphis Zoo.

Pioneering Science for Endangered Species-
This project is a significant proof of concept that semen cryopreservation and reproductive technologies can be applied effectively in reptiles, a taxonomic group often neglected in biobanking efforts. The zoo’s team meticulously collected, froze, and later thawed semen, which was then used to successfully inseminate a female Louisiana pinesnake.

Genetic testing by Dr. Tonia Schwartz and graduate student Alexis Lindsey at Auburn University confirmed that the offspring were indeed sired by the donor male, setting a precedent for future conservation efforts in reptiles. “Auburn University is dedicated to impactful science,” said Dr. Tonia Schwartz, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. “The Schwartz Lab at Auburn University is passionate about conservation and using genetics to understand how animal populations are impacted by threats in their environment. We are proud to partner with Memphis Zoo on this project to use our genetic expertise to validate the successful fertilization using cryopreserved s***m. We see this success as a huge step forward to enable future efforts to improve the genetic health of this species and other threatened reptile species.”

“Memphis Zoo is setting an example for the global community,” said Dr. Mark Sandfoss, who spearheaded the research. “We’ve shown that it’s possible to use cryopreserved genetic material to aid in the recovery of an endangered species, paving the way for similar efforts with other reptile species in the future.”

What This Means for the Future of Conservation-
This achievement comes at a crucial time for the Louisiana pinesnake, which is one of the rarest snakes in North America. With habitat loss continuing to threaten their survival, the ability to utilize cryopreserved semen offers new hope for maintaining genetic diversity in the species and ensuring its long-term survival. Memphis Zoo plans to continue its pioneering work in reptile conservation, leveraging this success to build on its research and collaborate with other institutions worldwide. “Today, the future of endangered reptiles got a little brighter.” – Dr. Steve Reichling

Introducing Super Pastel Drip! This girl was a little surprise from one of our pairings this year. This appears to eithe...
20/08/2023

Introducing Super Pastel Drip!

This girl was a little surprise from one of our pairings this year. This appears to either be incomplete dominant, with this being the “super form” or polygenic. Named dually for the drippy appearance of the pattern and because she’s got that drip!

Her clutch mates also appear to share characteristics of the phenotype with her, but not to the extreme she has.

Pairing was Super Pastel VPI Axanthic Genetic Stripe x Pastel Het Genetic Stripe, PH VPI Axanthic. There are no other known phenotypes that could result from the pairing than Super Pastel.

07/05/2023

21 June 2023

Available Ball Pythons

Proven Breeder Males:

Pastel Enchi Candino
Vanilla Cream Pewterblast
Banana Mojave Pewter Vanilla 50% PH Pied
Super Vanilla Cinnamon Pinstripe 50% PH Orange Hypo
Pastel Super Enchi 100% Het Orange Hypo
Pastel 100% DH Citrus Hypo Pied
*Unnamed New Gene* (Resembles a less extreme Acid) Pastel 100% DH VPI Axanthic Clown
*Unnamed New Gene* 100% DH VPI Axanthic Clown

Proven Breeder Females:

Cryptic Pastel
Crypton Lesserbee
Enchi
Vanilla Pewter
Vanilla 100% Het Orange Hypo
Pastel 100% Het Genetic Stripe (Poss Het VPI Axanthic) x 2
VPI Snow
100% Double Het VPI Axanthic Genetic Stripe
100% Het Piebald
Pastel Enchi Spotnose 100% Het Orange Hypo
Enchi Spotnose 100% Het Orange Hypo
Vanilla Enchi Orange Hypo
Pastel Lesser Enchi 100% Het Orange Hypo
Pastel 100% DH VPI Axanthic Orange Hypo (True Ghost)

1kg+ Females

Mojave Piebald (One Probable Pastel) x 3
Pewter Vanilla 50% PH Pied
G-Stripe Pastel 50% PH VPI Axanthic
A++ Pastel Enchi 100% Het Orange Hypo
Lesser 100% DH VPI Axanthic Clown
Bullseye (Likely new line of Trick) Fire 50% PH Albino
Bullseye Pinstripe 50% PH Albino
Pastel 100% DH Citrus Hypo Pied x 2
100% DH Citrus Hypo Pied x 4

Juveniles

1.0 Super Vanilla Banana Pewter Mojave
0.1 Super Vanilla Banana Pewter

Neonates

2.0 G-Stripe Pastel 100% Het VPI Axanthic (Funky Patterns)
0.1 Pastel VPI Axanthic G-Stripe

16/02/2023

Evidence suggests that snakes can hear, but how snakes naturally respond to sound is still unclear. We conducted 304 controlled experiment trials on 19 snakes across five genera in a sound-proof room (4.9 x 4.9 m) at 27ÂşC, observing the effects of three sounds on individual snake behavior, compared...

28/11/2022

Enter Today and you could win a Trio of Captive Born Borneo Earless Monitors (Lanthanotus borneensis) complete with cleared CITES import documents!

28/11/2022

"For more than 20 years, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Department of Conservation and other agencies have worked together to turn back the clock and save the hellbenders, and believe their work has given the salamanders at least another 30 years. Their numbers have declined by 70% since 1990.

In August, the zoo and MDC celebrated the milestone of releasing the 10,000th hellbender raised in captivity back into native waters, and have since released hundreds more. They bred their first Ozark hellbenders in captivity in 2011 after a decade of trying.

The zoo has the only facility in the world that keeps and breeds Ozark hellbenders, with a few universities working at a smaller level with Eastern hellbenders. Both species, who have slight differences in size and color, are federally protected in Missouri. Missouri is the only state that has both kinds.

"From a natural history standpoint, they are one of the most specialized vertebrates on the planet. They are very exotic and bizarre and weird," says Justin Elden, the zoo's curator of herpetology."

"Elden is also the director of the St. Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Ron and Karen Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation. It's a series of four rooms in the basement of the zoo's herpetarium, as well as two rectangular-shaped pools behind the building. The pools simulate wild streams and serve as breeding areas.

About 2,000 hellbenders in various stages of development, from egg to adult, are being raised at the center now. Fall is hellbender breeding season, with males staying back at the nest guarding clutches of eggs they've fertilized until they're ready to hatch."

Read full article here:
https://phys.org/news/2022-11-hellbenders-st-louis-experts-struggling.html



Early look at two freshly hatched boys from a pairing of Banana Mojave Pewter Vanilla 50% Het Pied x Blackhead Red Gene ...
12/11/2022

Early look at two freshly hatched boys from a pairing of Banana Mojave Pewter Vanilla 50% Het Pied x Blackhead Red Gene Ringer Gene!


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About Us

Green Swamp Herpetological LLC was formed in 2013 by Russell Lawson Jr. after having kept and bred several different species of reptiles since 2002. Our current focus is primarily on boas and pythons, but we have plans to expand the collection to include several other species of reptiles in the near future. Our goal is to produce some of the highest quality examples of the animals we work with. We also strive to educate people about the animals we sell and work with, and are happy to help share information on captive husbandry, natural history, and genetics and other biology topics to our customers and other inquiring individuals.