Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering what would be the best caging for these guys. i have kept cb juveniles/subadult racers(buttermilks, n. blacks, eastern and western coachwhips) in vision/neodesha, and in a rack and they do well. They are getting larger now, so i wanted anyones opinion on the best caging. i wanted to move one (one of the calmer tame ones,lol)into a large 55 glass tank for display. what do you think? i hear they stress out in glass tanks. any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks again Dave

I have seen them on exhibit in zoos, and kept some in tanks. They adjust to their situation. Any snake is better off if it has a place to retreat to and hide, so some bark to hide under is a must, but my baby Eastern and Western Coachwhips spend quite a bit of time surface active in their 5 gallon tanks, and may eventually start looking at me for food like other captive Masticophis I've heard of. Racers and coachwhips are active, and tend to rub the sides of any container in an effort to move along. Try keeping them reasonaby well fed, and entertained--move the cage furnishings around every so often, always leaving one or two pieces in the same place so as not to have the snakes thinking they have been totally displaced. Home range is important to them, and you want them entertained, not panicked. They are more demanding than some other snakes, so think about how much time and energy you can devote to them as you consider adding to your collection.

If they are captive born they won,t desire what they don,t know. What I mean by that is slow transitions from small to large as they grow. I use vision 55 gal, for my adult breeders. They feel more secure if they can,t be seen from all sides as in all glass caging. I also use Mexican pottery for the hide box.

This guy seems pretty happy in his aquarium. But then again, he does have ample hiding places as well for when he's feeling antisocial.

At first he was a little twitchy, but he settled down fairly fast, and seems to enjoy the view through the glass.

Here's a typical pose:

http://www.eternal-shadows.com/images/Racer7.jpg

And from what the pet shop that I purchased him from told me, he was wild caught. It took me a little while to quieten him down. At first I had him in a room with low traffic so he didn't get too disturbed. Only later after he'd become accustomed to us moving around did I move him to where he is now, in the computer room.

Or, he's here. LOL. He seems to like being out and being able to see things.

http://www.eternal-shadows.com/sitebuilder/images/SnakeHat2-591x581.jpg

thanksyou everyone for all the info/replies. sorry i didnt get back to you all sooner, i just returned back to Long Island. I have always kept adult racers/coachwhips in large visions. but i thought i might set up a nice large glass/tank desert vivarium display for my large female cb red w. coachwhip. wasnt sure if it would be the best thing. thanks again for responding to my posts. Dave

thats a really nice looking Racer! very alert. do you know what locality he was found in? dave

I have exact local if you call me I will let you know I will pick up if you call now.