cape file snakes

[exotica0095]

anyone here know anything about them? they l,ook just like a king snake and seem to act like them! Its so hard to find information on them even wild ones?

[josh@outbackreps]

We import a few 100 of them every winter.
They are very easy to keep and are one of the most laid back snakes you will ever find.
Out of 200 or so we brought in this season not a one offered to bite or musk, any thing.

They have a very triangular body with rough scales (hence the common name). This helps them grip their prey better as they are mostly reptile feeders in the wild.

In captivity they do well on a cypress mulch bedding with a big water bowl. The will take geckos, skinks, toads and other snakes readily. With a little wprk they will also switch over to rodents. One of the easier ways to switch them over is to offer a cold rat pup that has a little toad or lizard scent on it. Not only does it have the right smell but it also has the right texture.

They need a good worming with panacure and flagil when they come in as they are often stressed and that will make any parasite loads peak. Once they are treated and settle in they make great long lived interesting pets.

Hope this helps....

[exotica0095]

how long do they get? are they constrictors?

[Zincubus]

Hi , I've just got hold if one a few days ago after months of looking .
She's about 3 months old and about 12 " long . CB and eating f/t fuzzies .
Absolutely stunning , jet black with a bright white stripe down the spine .
I'm still trying to find out s much as I can but it us very difficult . I understand that they are similar length to Corn snakes as adults but thicker and they grow very fast over the first 12 months and then slow down dramatically . Maybe the growth spurt is to help them survive as they eat poisonous / venomous snakes and lizards in the wild . They are immune to venom . They are triangular shaped with raised scales that apparantly help them grip their prey . Supposedly extremely strong as well . I'm feeding today for the first time !!!!

[Zincubus]

Hi , I've just got hold if one a few days ago after months of looking .
She's about 3 months old and about 12 " long . CB and eating f/t fuzzies .
Absolutely stunning , jet black with a bright white stripe down the spine .
I'm still trying to find out s much as I can but it us very difficult . I understand that they are similar length to Corn snakes as adults but thicker and they grow very fast over the first 12 months and then slow down dramatically . Maybe the growth spurt is to help them survive as they eat poisonous / venomous snakes and lizards in the wild . They are immune to venom . They are triangular shaped with raised scales that apparantly help them grip their prey . Supposedly extremely strong as well . I'm feeding today for the first time !!!!

Well no luck ,left the fuzzie in overnight and it was still there
My baby albino Boa got a bonus feed as a result .

I will try again in a few days , she's only been in her new environment since last Sunday and probably still stressing .

[Zincubus]

Hey , she took her first fluff last night !!!

I just left it in a hide overnight

[Definitions]

congrats on your first feed!

[Zincubus]

She's taken 2 pinkies twice now about 5 days apart . She will have to start taking fluffs next week as I've only 2 pinkies left

[Zincubus]

Handling her for 5 minutes each day (apart from the two days after eating ) she stays motionless for a couple if minutes ALWAYS hiding her head then she suddenly bursts into life and start crawling for freedom
Its similar to having a hamster in your hands in the way you keep having to alternate hands ( difficult to describe) .