Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone know where to look at C.Atrox care sheets..........

This forum is probably one of the best places to ask about rattlesnake husbandry in general. If you have a specific question related to care just ask and plenty of people on here can help. WDB's have got to be about as easy to care for as any rattlesnake. They make very hardy captive's with just a few basic needs.

I know the basic care for just about any reptile,however i have some questions about temps and burmation.First is,i keep some native king snakes,EDB,and WDBs all in the same rack.I read a care sheet On the EDB that says(Optimal day time high 76,no higher than 84 cause this can lead to Regurgitation and anorexia.......Now,im trying to keep these species in the same rack system,and have heat tape under the tubs with a Helix controler......Im i able to keep all native species in the same racks with no problem?I have the temp set at 82 degrees,(hot spot right where heat tape is)is this temp going to be good for all these species??Should i have a night time drop all year round?I have kept snakes long periods of time(years)at the same temp with no problem,however i am going to try to breed snakes soon and hope keeping the at the same temp year round has no effect.I know i have to burmate them for the best success in breeding........Any input on this will help!!

or HKM can probably give you more detailed advice reguarding optimal temp gradients for atrox. I personally keep my atrox at in a large aquarium with a hide box at the cool end and a basking light at the other. They can also be kept the way you are doing it in a rack system, at a constant temp. and with a little bit of winter cooling should breed fine.

atrox are pretty easy in captivity and you can keep it as simple or get as complex as you want it. Of course going to a little more effort will increase your chances of reproducing them consistently. I know of people who have maintained them at a constant 78-80 F with no winter cooling and have had them reproduce successfuly, although I would say this method is rather hit and miss. The greater the temp gradient you provide,and a winter cooling period will greatly increase chances of consistent reproduction. The ultimate setup would be as HKM recomends. A long cage with one end of the cage around 70F and the other at around 125-135F, and lots of hiding places the whole length of the cage.

I use 48" long cages for larger crote species. Since I have a number of different species in my room I have to find a middle ground that will allow me to use basking lights with the crotes and not overly raise the ambient temp in my room. I keep the cool end at around 70F and the basking areas at around 85-100F depending on the species.