Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I apologize, I don't have the scientific name right off. It is in the genus boiga (spelling is probably off). I've seen them listed as venomous and also in the regular listing. The research I've done on them just lists them as "potentially" harmful to humans. I'm aware that some snakes in that genus are more venomous than others so I don't know if the book was refering to them specically or the genus as a whole.

I'm thinking about getting one. I have no intention of getting a full grown WC to begin with. I have access to some smaller tamer individuals should I decide to get one. I've had 11 years experience with regular snakes, and about 5-6 with a few mild rear fanged species.

Any info would be appreciated. I have a 16 month old son, and I don't want anything in the house that could potentially harm him. The room and cages are secure, but I'd rather wait another 10 years than risk him getting hurt.

Thanks!

Travis
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Travis Rose
Lazy S Snake Ranch
(859) 582-7310
1.0 100% DH for Snow Boa
1.0 Hypo, 66% DH Moonglow Boa
0.1 Normal Common Boa
0.1 Circle Back Normal Boa
0.1 66% DH for Snow Boa
2.4 Kenyans
0.3 Dogs (1 Full Pitbull, 1 Pit/Husky, & 1 Bernese Mt. Dog cross)
0.3 Cats (1 fat, 1 old, and 1 insane)
0.1 Very understanding wife
1.0 Toddler (WC...still bites and musks)

The Latin is Boiga dendrophila with various subspecies depending on the color. The most common one is the nominate species, B. d. dendrophila, which is the black and yellow variety. The individuals available on the classifieds are almost always w.c. and freshly so, and almost always do poorly. I've kept 3 mangroves over the past few years, and not a one would eat regularly. They are completely nocturnal, and if you want them to do well you need to leave them alone completely and only watch them at night using a dim red light. That's my humble opinion anyway.

As far as the venom goes, I'll let those more versed in the subject address it more thoroughly. I know they're nothing to scoff at and probably should not be free handled handled without good quality leather gloves. Their fangs are pretty small and located pretty far back in the rear of the mouth, so they have an overall poor delivery system (as compared to, say, boomslangs). I wouldn't suspect a glancing bite to do much damage, and indeed when I received exactly that, it didn't do anything. However, if you're sensitive to the venom, the results could be wildly different.

Again in my opinion, if you want a rear-fang that will do well in captivity, go with a false water cobra. I know they're the polar opposite of a mangrove, being terrestrial, heavy bodied snakes, but they almost always feed readily (voraciously!). They also are diurnal so you're more likely to see them out patrolling the cage, and they tend to be docile as adults. Of course, all that is said in vain if you're wanting the mangrove for the fact that they are arboreal, slender-bodied, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Chance Duncan
www.rivervalleyexotics.com

Thanks for your input! I did a little more research last night and I've decided that I'd better wait before buying one of them. For my son's sake, better safe than sorry.

Travis
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Travis Rose
Lazy S Snake Ranch
(859) 582-7310
1.0 100% DH for Snow Boa
1.0 Hypo, 66% DH Moonglow Boa
0.1 Normal Common Boa
0.1 Circle Back Normal Boa
0.1 66% DH for Snow Boa
2.4 Kenyans
0.3 Dogs (1 Full Pitbull, 1 Pit/Husky, & 1 Bernese Mt. Dog cross)
0.3 Cats (1 fat, 1 old, and 1 insane)
0.1 Very understanding wife
1.0 Toddler (WC...still bites and musks)

From what I have seen their venom is fairly mild, unless you have an allergic reaction. The big problem I have seen -- I kept one some years ago -- is that while they are visually beautiful snakes, they are nocturnal, as noted, and simpy not very entertaining to keep/watch. Plus, they seem to be notoriously vulnerable to upper respiratory infections and early death. Overall not a good snake to keep from a purely logistical standpoint.

I had one for a couple years before selling it to downsize the collection. It was a fresh wc animal and ate about a week after I got it and ate nearly every week after. I never had a problem with it eating or getting any kind of RI. You dont see them much though.
I will get another one someday, they are fantastic animals. Hard to hook though...kinda like an ice cube...LOL
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Jason