Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
Would someone mind pointing me in the direction of some good (credible) literature on husbadry, natural history, and venom of Cerastes cerastes? I am really interested in learning about these guys. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

It's tough to find.. I have one and I'm still looking. I've never found a book with a decent section on them.

I have come to that realization. I recall when I interned at a zoo when I was in high school they were have trouble finding reliable information on Cerastes vipera. I assume that Cerastes cerastes is much more common seeing how there are several people on this forum who are keeping C. cerastes. Any info is very appreciated. Thanks.

Ryan

Well... I find they're not that picky once you get them established. They like a high temperature of 95 degrees and the humidity can be quite low and they're ok with it. They don't drink water very often but it's ok to offer it. I keep mine on sand and they seem to have eating habits that minimize their intake of sand. They're on of the few animals in the pet trade that actually lives on sand dunes in the wild (unlike your 'sand boas' and such). They're also not very picky about food. They're pretty much nocturnal but will eat at any time of the day. Mine went through a winter fast for a few months, so it's a good idea to feed heavily in the fall. I think that's about all I know... Oh yeah.. the venom can get pretty hairy from what I've heard. Has the potential to be lethal. I hope to gain no first hand experience with that though.

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Is it me or is this a regular problem?: I have had a female (recieved n/b-c/b) C. cerastes for almost a year. She started on pinkies and never stopped being a pig. I am on my third male. All three were babies from w/c parents or were w/c themselves. all were poor feeders and died with weeks. Are the males that delicate? Ran into a herper at the V expo who had the same situation. Frank