John........Feel free to disagree, as I've only been working with the deppei complex since '99. With my original group, I took the standard advice as to temps, don't feed them more than once a week, and feed them small meals. I still got a couple of regurges during the first 3 months on my male jani, and one of the females. Never had a problem with the other female jani or my female d. deppei. After 3 months or so, never another problem. The females grew to 39-41 inches in one year, the male to 44". They are now absolutely as easy to keep as corn snakes.

My opinion of a reasonable meal is one that simply puts a small lump in the snake. If you are feeding a meal that doesn't produce a visible lump, you are not feeding them enough. I'm also of the opinion that a single prey item of a more mature rodent may be more nuritious than multiple small items. In other words, give them a meal with some fur and bones, rather than a couple of little soft pink tissue bags. I never said anything about the need to get them going on rat pups as soon as possible. The jani in the pic are holdbacks from last year. They are now big enough to eat adult mice or small rat weans. They have never been picky, whether their meal was a rat or mouse of appropriate size.

With these holdbacks, I made a slight change in the regimen. I put them on an eight day feeding schedule, and this time around I had absolutely no regurges. It may be that extra day is optimal for them to completely digest and assimilate their food. The proof may be in their growth records, as these guys outgrew their parents in the same first year period.

John........What has been your experience with the deppei complex, as to developmental or longer term problems when growing at these rates? I'm of the opinion that once you get them going and past that first 3 month hurdle, they are quite the hardy colubrid. Anyone else, feel free to chime in on this one. Pits rule, but jani are royalty...........Steve G.

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