Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are there any loxocemus (aka new world sunbeam snake or mexican burrowing python) keepers out there? Anyone know any?

I breed loxocemus, and I have posted here about that before. There are very few people in the U.S. working with them, and I am reaching out to other keepers to share notes and build up a network. Please post a response (so all the other lonely lox keepers out there can see it) if you are also a lox keeper so we can get in touch and build up the community.

Thanks!
Billy Brown

Unfortunately, I'm not a keeper...but wow, that's a beautiful snake! How big do they get?

Judy
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1.0 red cape gopher (Caesar)

I have always wanted to keep Loxocemus (and Xenopeltis) but have never got around to it when I had the time (and money in the case of Loxocemus). What little experience I have had with them suggests they are great snakes. Sorry, wish I could provide you with some intimate details!

Have you communicated with Dave and Tracy Barker at VPI (www.vpi.com). I know this is one of the species they are still working with.
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Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

Loxocemus get to be about four feet, but probably mature a little under three feet. They are stocky snakes, though, and a little more active than you would expect. The picture does not do their irridescence justice.

I have been in touch with the Barkers and a few other people I know of, and they have been helpful. There was an article in a '99 issue of Reptiles, and the Glasgow zoo has a good site on them (google loxocemus and glasgow and you'll get it). I know these snakes are being bred (to a limited extent) and certainly sold, so I'm trying to make sure everyone who works with them or who wants to knows who to touch base with and ask questions of.

My email is billysbrown2@yahoo.com, for any future forum searchers who find this in a few months and want to get in touch.

Thanks for the interest! Billy

Hi, I have a female...This years. I keep her on spagnum and mist daily. She is feeding well on fuzzy mice.
Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Hi Frank.

It's great to know you're out there. From what I can tell, loxocemus (unlike the xenopeltis) don't need much moisture. I kept mine humid for a while - with a large patch of damp spagnum in the cage, but the Barkers, Gus Renfro, and the care info from the Glasgow zoo (http://www.glasgowzoo.co.uk/articles/coldblooded/mexburrowingpyth.php) all seem to indicate that they do fine on aspen, newspaper, or whatever dry substrate. My hatchlings also do well on just shredded newspaper. That said, I never had any problems when I gave them the full moisture gradient and kept them more humid.

Good luck, and feel free to contact me (billysbrown2@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Billy

Took down your info Billy. I tried aspen and it caused shedding problems...possibly a climate thing ?(I'm in South Florida)Spagnum has been very effective. I lightly mist ever other day and she looks great. Where are you?
Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I guess go with what works. I'm in Baltimore, so humidity is not all that high. I'm using more shredded newspaper also (come to think of it that's all I use on the hatchlings) so maybe that holds moisture better than aspen. I and another keeper have noticed that they seem to "like" a hide box with some damp moss in it, but it's hard to tell if they liked it more because of position, temp where the hidebox was etc. They do tend to look a little bit better if they're not too dry - more colorful.

Billy