Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am hoping someone can give some clues to working with the mangrove snake. I have not yet acquired one but plan to within the next several months. From the research I've done it sounds like a basic arboreal setup is appropriate but I'm unsure as to humidity, feeding, and size requirements. The article at http://www.snakemuseum.com/mangrove.htm was informative but I'd really like a bit more on creating a healthy environment on a budget Questions:
1) I'm in Oregon (Willammette Valley) which is very wet in most of the year and relatively humid in the summer... should the natural humidity be sufficient or should I invest in a mister and how can I tell if (s)he is in need of more humidity.
2) Is natural lighting sufficient or is specialized full spectrum lighting necessary and how can I tell if (s)he needs more/less of a specific type of light?
3) How fast do the Mangroves grow? and would a 40" high, 30"wide, 20" deep enclosure be adequate for a full grown specimen?
4) Is the feeding response similar to that of a bullsnake (that's what I keep now) in its frequency and ferocity?
5) Lastly, for you folks who handle your mangroves, do you see them as a threat to young (under 5 yrs. old) children? (I'm not referring to unsupervised of course but could I handle him/her around my kids and feel safe that even if a bite occured it would be no worse than a bee sting?)
Thanks in advance for any advice... I'll be the first to admit I know very little and before making this decision I'd like to know more.
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Amor et Lux,
Ron

"The gods tolerate the human race for no other reason than our talent for bullsh1t. It's the only thing about us that doesn't bore them to tears" Tom Robbins "Villa Incognito"

I have a few and right off I will say, with the proper care they are not hard to maintain. Humidity (I am in S. Fla which is normaly humid)can easily be maintained by a daily misting. For very small specimens I prefer to use spagnum moss as the bottom medium. If it is soft to the touch the humidity is right.

Mangroves are primarely a nocturnal species so special lighting is not necessary. Mine spend the day under the bottom medium.

Your dimensions are way to small for an adult Mangrove which reaches 7'. I consider a 55gl aquarium barely adequate. The growth rate compares with that of a typical Ratsnake.

Feeding varies with the individual. frequently baby Mangroves refuse food or will feed only on lizards or frogs. Adults do qwell on mice or rat pups. The response can be fast but it is never as aggressive as a bullsnake.

Very small Mangroves are totaly harmless. As they get larger the risk of getting bit drops, but the amount injected if they do increases. A very large specimen would be a concern around small children but I would be comfortable around any adult that did not show a sensitivity to venoms (like Bee Stings).

That being said, they make really fine pets.

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

Thanks for the reply... Now for several more questions:
1) could the size requirement for the cage be made up in height rather than floor space say 7' tall, 2' deep, 2.5' wide?
2) Is the daily misting priamarily for shedding and if not how else can I tell if I'm doing it enough?
3) Would the steam from a shower be adequate for misting (I've never kept a tropical species so forgive my ignorance) as I'm considering keeping the snake in a bathroom.
4) Is there an inexpensive way to accomplish misting?
5) When you refer to "small" children being potentially in danger from a full grown bite do you mean toddler and younger or pre-teen and younger?

Thanks again
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Amor et Lux,
Ron

"The gods tolerate the human race for no other reason than our talent for bullsh1t. It's the only thing about us that doesn't bore them to tears" Tom Robbins "Villa Incognito"

1) could the size requirement for the cage be made up in height rather than floor space say 7' tall, 2' deep, 2.5' wide?

An enclosure of that size would be far from ideal for an adult Boiga dendrophila. That would basically be a tall 2 x 2.5 box. B.dendrophila is a large species that demands a lot of space to be kept adequately. Make the enclosure at least 4ft wide, then 4-7ft in height would be great. Juvenile specimens would do fine with 2 x 2.5ft floor space, but anything larger should definitely have a lot more space.

2) Is the daily misting priamarily for shedding and if not how else can I tell if I'm doing it enough?

The daily misting is generally done to maintain a fairly high level of humidity. B.dendrophila should be kept at approximately 65-80% humidity, which can be achieved through a misting system or daily manual misting. Use a humidity gauge to measure the humidity at various spots throughout the enclosure.

3) Would the steam from a shower be adequate for misting (I've never kept a tropical species so forgive my ignorance) as I'm considering keeping the snake in a bathroom

Not a good idea at all. The ambient temperature in the average bathroom is subject to variation, and the traffic associated with being kept under those conditions could have a negative impact on the well-being of the animal. B.dendrophila are known for their tendency to develop respiratory infections, and keeping them in a bathroom sounds like a recipe for RIs.

4) Is there an inexpensive way to accomplish misting?

Yes - good old fashioned manual misting with a spray bottle.

5) When you refer to "small" children being potentially in danger from a full grown bite do you mean toddler and younger or pre-teen and younger?

Theoretically, a bite from B.dendrophila could cause significant reactions in adults as well, but the likelihood of this happening is quite low. The less body mass the bite victim has, the more likely the venom is to cause a significant symptomatic. Keep both toddler and pre-teen away from the animal, and you won't have any problems.

Regards,

~TE

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