Xenopeltis, Sunbeam Snake Set-up

[janeothejungle]

So, I've had more than one inquiry this week about my Xeno set-ups, so here it is........

40 gallon breeder, mixed substrates (the girls seem to like vermiculite at the bottom) live plants (the one in the photo is newly planted but will grow over quickly) and easy water access......






And this is Samson, one of my boys........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgYCBcnaQI



Cheers,
Kat

[Patrick Long]

thats really cool. Do you really notice them spending more time in a certain subtrate level?

[BrucenBruce]

That's pretty cool video of pretty awesome snakes in a pretty nifty setup!

I've only seen these twice - once, years ago, a friend had some babies. He kept them in a goldfish bowl, with guppies to eat. They didn't last long, IIRC....

Recently, I encountered them at the White Plains reptile expo - they're very cool to look at, but what I've read of them on the 'net kind of scares me off them.

~Bruce

[crystal]

they're very cool to look at, but what I've read of them on the 'net kind of scares me off them.

what is it that scared you?

i saw the pics thought they were gorgeous and found some for sale. i even got the 'ooh those are nice get some' from my boyfriend but id like to research them a little more before i get them. everthing i read about them says they will die right off and i couldnt do that.

[BrucenBruce]

what is it that scared you?

i saw the pics thought they were gorgeous and found some for sale. i even got the 'ooh those are nice get some' from my boyfriend but id like to research them a little more before i get them. everthing i read about them says they will die right off and i couldnt do that.

That's just what it was for me - that sort of "even with the best of care, most will die within six months" attitude that seems to be the prevalent thought. Jane's setup seems pretty ideal for a burrowing animal that's common 'round rice paddies, and I'm looking forward to hearing how they do. They really are pretty incredible!

Interesting note - some of the ones at White Plains were in shed - they go a totally drab ashy-white color in shed!

~Bruce

[Laooda]

Cat that's just awesome!!!!

[crystal]

That's just what it was for me - that sort of "even with the best of care, most will die within six months" attitude that seems to be the prevalent thought. Jane's setup seems pretty ideal for a burrowing animal that's common 'round rice paddies, and I'm looking forward to hearing how they do. They really are pretty incredible!

Interesting note - some of the ones at White Plains were in shed - they go a totally drab ashy-white color in shed!

~Bruce

that is crazy!

those snakes are so beautiful but i ned a snake that is somewhat easy to care for just incase i deploy for an extended period of time and someone else has to watch them and feed them and take care of them.

[janeothejungle]

that is crazy!

those snakes are so beautiful but i ned a snake that is somewhat easy to care for just incase i deploy for an extended period of time and someone else has to watch them and feed them and take care of them.

Well, my colony has been thriving for almost 3 years now. The reality is that they are EASILY stressed animals and only do well when they are left mostly to their own devices. I have a male that I see around once a month when I clean his tank, otherwise he does not like contact of any kind (even snipes his anoles in the early am when the house is dead quiet). Then again I have a girl that doesn't mind being handled for short intervals and will cruise her tank looking for food in broad daylight. Like any other snakes, they have individual personalities. Seriously though, ask yourself if you are okay owning and caring consistently for a snake you rarely get to see, much less interact with...... These are not 'show-off snakes'.

Also ask if you are okay with providing a varied diet. Yes some keepers feed only rodents, but that is not a natural diet and the snakes do much better with variety. Got access to anoles........ bugs........ geckos.......fish......etc?

To be clear, I think these guys are phenomenal examples of fossorial burrowing groups, and there is a lot of satisfaction in seeing a 'difficult' species thrive, but I firmly believe that this species is a true 'herpers' herp. One you possess for the animals sake, not your own gratification. I work with them primarily to try and solve the CB problem and reduce the import pressure on these guys.

Hope it helps.

Cheers,
Kat

[janeothejungle]

In shed........





~Kat

[janeothejungle]

Not in shed.





~Kat