You might try anoles, which occur within the range of the southern populations of Eastern Coachwhips. All coachwhips are strongly drawn to lizards as prey, especially when the snakes are young.

I got several hatchling coachwhips and racers to eat voluntarily after many weeks of forcing mouse tails. In time, the snakes would accept mouse tails from my hand while being held for feeding. After snakes get used to eating on a schedule, they may develop expectations of being fed when feeding day rolls around. Once that milestone is crossed they are easier to feed and you can begin testing their willingness to accept alternative foods. Most of the time, you just try a pinkie one day and they eat it after months of refusing pinkies.

Heat is critical. Coachwhips and racers have the highest voluntary thermal preferences of any North American snake. My racers like to keep their body temps in the mid-90s--mammal temps. I have Southern Black Racers that bask directly under a 45-watt spot bulb where temp readings on the substrate can reach 120. If they were not in a cage with fan-forced venting at the heated end I doubt they could enjoy such high temps for basking. Remember it's essential to arrange the cage so the snakes can escape the heat when they are finished basking. Cages that are hot all over will stress reptiles, often to death.

Expect to feed and clean often when the snakes have the temps they prefer, but racers and coachwhips that have access to good basking and enough food look like wild ones--strong, muscular and generally in no mood for handling.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]