Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Roy, I have a nice 5 foot male and female of this species I believe is poecilonotus that will be fattened eventually and put together to determine if they will breed soon. Their head starts yellon on black but slowly creeps to ash color with yellow. These have a flatter head then sulfurus and don't grow as large and do not puff up as often or at all for all I know like sulfurus? At least these never puffed but bit me instead. lol. These are from central america.

Dan

Man those things are killer! poecilonotus is so cool because of how variable the coloration and pattern can be with them. Definitely one of the most variable neotropical colubrids. I wish you the best of luck with breeding them, and of course, it would be interesting to see what the hatchlings would come out like. I've never seen poecilonotus with that coloration before.
The sulphureus seem to be doing well overall, but they haven't yet eaten. I've tried the rat pups, frozen chicks and frozen quail, but they haven't been interested. I think I will try a live chick next. I also thought it might be a security issue, so I put a large bird nest box filled with sphagnum and coconut in the corner of the cage today. The male is in the nest box right now actually. We'll see how it goes, and I'll definitely keep everyone informed. Still, any advice would be greatly appreciated if anyone has any Pseustes tricks that they would like to share.
Thanks a lot for providing those pictures, Dan. Those are some amazing snakes. I really hope they breed!
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Pseustes sulphureus
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.3 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

If they are in together, perhaps separate them and cover the front of the cage with newspaper or something as I had to do that before to get them to eat as at first they are afraid to eat in view of people or other animals. If they don't eat in a week, put a single dead wet hopper mouse down their throats and food in their bellies also serves as a good stimulant to get them to eat more. Rat pups moving slowly on the cage floor work great or scented dead rat pups in branches works good also. I have kepts dozens and have yet to see one that eventually did not accept a chicken scented rat pup so try one day and give it a rest for 2-3 days and try again only for a day though. Again, if they can see you in the room, they will not eat in front of you for a couple of months. I had to leave the room always but once they start, you better have a good supply.

Dan

Hi Roy!
Try to gently hit it's body and tail with a small live rats (long tweezer hahaha!). Both mine start eating this way.
Take care and good luck.
Justin

Thank you for your advice, and I will try this method as soon as possible. And Dan, thanks again for your advice as well. I'm sure they will come around in time, it's just frustrating for me in the meantime. I'm sure everyone knows what I mean. I'll post more pictures soon.
-----
Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Pseustes sulphureus
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.3 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Really nice snakes you got there Dan!
Take care
Justin