Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently got another tx coral. I am trying again! I have frozen baby snakes that did not make it last year including annulata and alterna. Will texas corals eat f/t snakes of this species if the coral was captured in travis county? Any advice appreciated.

In my opinion. Travis County Corals are difficult feeders. I have caught and kept them from south and west Texas and those seem to fair much better. I currently have one from from the Houston area which is feeding well and I have one from Cedar park, which has not fed yet. I just got a female from Llano which I haven't tried to feed yet.
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Tim Cole
www.Designeratrox.com/
www.AustinReptileService.net
www.AustinReptileExpo.com/
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Conservation through Education

From my limited experience with them, about the best thing to do is put them in a cage and put it in a dark place and not even look at them for at least 2 weeks after capture. After that offer live small snakes, then work over to pinkies. Sometimes putting them in a gallon jar (with air holes of course) with a pinky and a little bit of sand and leaving them overnight works (got this advice from Randal Berry). I didn't have to use the gallon jar trick with mine. Corals are usually laid back, but don't let that fool you. The first time you see one chase down a baby Thamnophis or other small fast snake you will be amazed. I remember watching mine chase one for the first time. from the prey snake entering the cage to the coral chasing it down move for move and then passing the Thamnophis and then biting it square on the head was probably under 2 seconds. My texas coral would literally play tug of war with you for a pinky. I've had many people act as if I was telling a fib, so here is the photographic evidence.

Dang Bobby! Don't be giving away ALL my secrets!
Randal

outstanding!!! thanks for the advice! Jeff austin, tx

I put a red striped ribbon snake in with it and it does not seem to be interested yet. Next I am going to try a juv. rat snake or corn snake, if that does not work, I guess it is back to force feeding rat tails.

I put a red striped ribbon snake in with it, but it does not seem interested. next I guess I'll try a juv. rat snake or corn snake. If that does not work I guess its back to force feeding rat tails.