Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone could help me out by giving me some advise or tips regarding W.C. Mandarins. Again, these questions are addressed to people experienced with W.C. Mandarin (I don't need or want criticism from those that are against w.c. mandarins....it's usually the ones selling babies for $400-$1000 a pop that want to criticize...yes, I would have preferred c.b. but can't spare the going price for them.) I recently bought a pair of W.C. I have had them for around 5 days now and they seem to be doing ok, except I never see them go to the water dish, they stay burried in their spagnum box. I was worried that maybe they were becoming dehydrated so I took one and placed his head in the water dish, sure enough, he started drinking. I have them in a low traffic area of my home, they are each in their own set up and outside of trying to get them to drink or offering food, I don't bother/handle them. They are on aspen substrate with a hide box with damp spagnum moss, and another hide w/o spagnum. The temps are room temp, around 72-85 during the day and 70-80 at night. So far I have offered several different size mice, fuzzies, hoppers, and rat pups. The male will strike at the mice but doesn't eat, the female avoids the prey alltogether. I know that it's probably too early to be offering them food, so I will wait another week or 2 before offering again (they seem to be in good shape). I'm trying to do everything right with these guys but no one really wants to give me tips on the "how to" ...everyone usually responds with "W.C. are a waste of time" and I have even been told by some than ALL mandarins c.b. and w.c. are a waste of time (how can something so beautiful be a waste of time!) If anyone could give me some tips or secrets, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time, Christy

thousands of WC Mandarins have been brought into this country over the last 20 years and every one of them has died, AFAIK. Many of those were in the hands of VERY experienced and patient snake keepers. I wish I could tell you different, but the overwhelming probability is that yours are headed for the same fate. That is why so many people have trouble with people buying wc mandarins.

I believe the captive population has been founded on fertile eggs that were layed by gravid wc females before they died. Those cb babies do fine in captivity.
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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

I succeeeded in keeping one Mandarin alive for three years 1980-83. I recieved it as a juv (19" minus most of it's tail. Being totaly ignorant about them, I kept it in an aquarium on cypress mulch. It ate a fuzzie every two weeks. No AC in South Florida. I think I was very lucky.

I have I have a pair of 3' w/c I recieved two weeks ago (had to try again). Both turned down food but then boh went into shed. I am keeping them again on cypress and mist them daily. All I can suggest is that I have heard they do better if you feed small infrequent meals and leave them alone.
Afte that.....time will tell.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I have 2 w/c females that are 5yo and breed and make great babies. the main thing is quiet, cool, moist. any stress will kill them, do not attempt to feed for a week or so. and use a smaller mouse than you think you need. w/c are a pain and do not survive well. good luck to you and them.

Thanks to those who responded. I have been in contact with someone who has worked with wc mandarins and he has been sucessful in acclimating them. He told me that one reason that so many that are shipped into the US do so poorly is because they are market specimens that suffer from kidney damage, dehydration and some have even had their gall bladders removed. I have also found out that these snakes are nest raiders and prefer fuzzy mice, you would think that they would be able to handle a large mouse or small rats. Hopefully at least I will get a few babies from these guys before they decline (if they do). I was told that the ones that I have are fresh caught and haven't seen a market so hopefully things will work out. I guess I will have to wait and see. Christy

Christy,

The only thing I will say about the set you have is- "I think you are keeping them a little too warm." I would keep them between 65-75 degrees. The like it cool.

Joe
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