Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Drove this little gem last Spring. Had it not been crawling across the road w/its head a few inches off of the ground I could have mistaken it of a blade of grass blowing across the road!

What's it feeding on Billy?
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Todd Hughes

Lizards only. Too cold to noose now so Anoles are getting me by. It is amazing how big of a lizard it can eat. Also, they are immobilized in seconds..it grabs them broadside and when dead moves them around for easier swallowing. It used to gape incessantly when disturbed bit quit as it grew used to me. Almost a year later and still to small for me to want to pop it or probe..just too thin to risk it IMHO.

Bill

Lucky SOB!! Where'd you see it? Oxybelis is a favorite of mine, but I've never even been in the right parts of the country to find 'em. Seen plenty in zoos and the like and constantly toy with trying to find some for sale. Never have.

How well has it taken to captivity?

Crossing a dirt rd. at 8AM..lots of Racers basking before and after but this was the only Oxy I saw. Also found a hatchling male Senticolis on the same trip so it was a great few days! It has adapted beautifully! I rarely ever handle, much less disturb, anything in my collection so stressors are kept to a minimum.

Very slow growing snakes IMHO. It takes adult Utas one per week or thereabouts and has only shed 3 times over the last year. Completely docile when I took it out for that pic and I haven't had it out before then for months.

As I mentioned their venom must be fairly toxic to reptilian prey as the Utas are completely immobilized in under a minute after being grabbed. Was fortunate enough to secure the larger female Senticolis in the Fall. Obviously they have a ways to go for breeding but I'm stoked nonetheless!

Bill

Todd,
Does that Oxy always hang out in the branches or does it use the ground alot? Did you find it in an area with few trees and shrubs around?
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Mark

I don't know, Bill found it!
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Todd Hughes

It sleeps on the ground but is up in the branches/vines all day. It was found crossing a dirt road in a grassy area that had Mesquite trees and Scrub Oak.
Bill

Ahh, that description fits what I had heard - they are found in areas that have fewer trees than one would think. Thanks.
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Mark

LOL. Don't see those every day!

Matthew