Reptile & Amphibian Forums

dont panic!!
ive had herps for over 10 years, i run a small herp rescue from my home. im a vet tech and ive worked in 2 shops with hots and had some time to work with them. im also going to be working with the breeder on how he handles them. i dont want to become a bigtime hot keeper, but i have always loved eyelash vipers and this will most likely be my one and only hot. after years of rescue, i want to treat myself to one snake i dont have to bring back from the deadand enjoy. im just looking for every bit of info i can get, ive been lurking on this page for ~2 years trying to get any info i can. i was just told the babys will be ready in about a month, so im just trying to gather one last clump of info to get me ready, whats the best advice you could give, any mistakes new keepers do? i love my reptiles and dont want to be irresponsable in any way and risk not being able to keep them, or make it so other scant keep them. the one thing im struggiling with most is cage set up, i know basic is best, but id like something nice to look at also, so cage pics would help. the cage will be in my herp room, that should help with humidity i know a 10-20 gal is ok for them, is it best to give hots the min. space for safty reasons? with all the other herps i give them the biggest cage poss. i think thats it, but ill probably have ?'s later, thaanks to all who respond!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

"i know a 10-20 gal is ok for them, is it best to give hots the min. space for safty reasons?"

Usually less cage decorations are recommended for hots, not less cage space. You'd probably be best off keeping a neonate eyelash viper in a plastic shoe box type deal, with minimal branches, plants, etc, as to assist with feeding. The wee little ones have to be tease-fed pinky parts, which takes a good deal of time and patience. You could do something as basic as paper towel as cage liner, a shallow water dish (plastic container lid), and a small piece of bark for the little fellow to sit upon...Having less shelter in the cage ensures they'll be good and paranoid and will strike at their prey, as they have nowhere to slither off to and hide...

Make sure the breeder has established the hatchling and that its willingly feeding on pinky parts, as it can be a difficult task for someone without experience...

Do you have the necessary tools yet? Hooks & long forceps or long hemostats come to mind. They are beautiful snakes. I have seen them in the wild, but never kept any. Enjoy!

~~Greg~~