Must do a little gushing - Keeled Slug Eaters
I've known for quite some time that I wanted to get an arboreal snake. Here's the problem: I didn't want a python or a boa. I didn't want something everyone has. So I did some research, and fell in love with the Boiga family. Only to be swiftly shot down by my father because of their venom. Understandable. While Boiga aren't really considered dangerous, we do have a small child we can't trust in the house.
But I was back to square one. Non venomous colubrids are generally expensive, hard to come by, and delicate. I almost gave up. Almost.
Then I discovered Pareas carinatus. And proceeded to fall in love with everything I read. They're a snake that require no additional heating in my climate, which need basically the same setup And care as cresties, plus lots of hides. They're gentle, non aggressive snakes that can be kept in pairs or trios because they pose no threat to each other. They feed exclusives on slugs and snails, and did I mention how freaking cute they are?
I have gotten in touch with a man who keeps one. (From a 4 year old post on an orchid forum, of all places.) He's the only person in North America than I can find who does. And no one breeds them, or else they arent saying anything. This guy has been extremely helpful, and has answered all my questions and then some.
I have been in touch with Dan Mulleary of DM Exotics, an importer and breeder I have nothing but respect for. He imported the few that are in private collections in the states now, but importation from Malaysia has been shut down for the past 3 years. However, it's expected to open very soon. I'm ridiculously excited, I cannot ever tell you...I really really want to work with this species, and will be acquiring a trio whenever possible. (They aren't possible to safely sex, so when I say trio, I mean 3 random snakes lol)
Eeeeeee!
