Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are Crotalus polystictus difficult to maintain? They are very beautiful rattlers. What are they like in captivity? How big do they get?

Thanks,
Dan

captive born polystictus make very hardy and easy to maintain captives. Their temperment is typical for most rattlesnakes; feisty but easy to manage with the proper hook. Their requirements are similar to many other Crotalus. We keep our's on exhibit in this manner:

Exhibit Size: 36" x 24" x 28" (w x d x h)
Heated by: Full spectrum incadescent bulb
Thermal gradients: Day: low 70's to the low 80's with a basking area that reaches 88-92. Night: drops to 70-72 degrees F.
Set up: sandy dirt substrate with various leaves and dried grasses mixed in. Boulder pile for basking and hiding. Several sturdy branches and this species will enjoy climbing low lying branches. Medium sized water bowl.
Feeding: our adults get 1-2 adult mice every 10-14 days.
Size: this is a small to medium species that reaches approximately 30" but that is just a very average number; could be a tad more and could be a tad less. Ironically, our largest polystictus is a female.
That should give you some basic info to answer your questions.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>Are Crotalus polystictus difficult to maintain? They are very beautiful rattlers. What are they like in captivity? How big do they get?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Dan
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thanks for the reply. It was very informative. Do you keep the polystictus singly or together? Have you noticed any breeding attempts?

Thanks,
Dan