Reptile & Amphibian Forums

eyelash vipers & I'm so excited. I'm supposed to pick them up at the airport today. The male is red & brown, and the two females are yellow. I have other venomous snakes, but these will be my first eyelash vipers. It's a known fact, that the most beautiful snakes in the world are all venomous. If I ever figure out how to do it, I'll post some pix. It keeps telling me that the photos are too big.
Cricket

Hey...Cool!

Enjoy...

Al
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Sarcasim is only one of the fine services I offer.

Eyelashes are indeed beautiful creatures, and you will no doubt absolutely love working with them, but to say that it is a "known fact" that venomous are the most beautiful of herps, well, I wouldn't go quite that far as there are some stunningly beautiful non venomous herps to rival the most beautiful of venomous (BUT, one of the reasons that I got so interested in keeping venomous is certainly their beauty and the diversity of beauty, habits, natural behavior, highly complex adaptations, and just the challenge of working with animals that so few people get an opportunity to do so).

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

I'm back & I AM IN LOVE! I wish I could figure out how to post pix. These certainly are gorgeous. Even my husband likes them, and he doesn't care much for snakes. I felt like a little kid opening a present as I was unpacking them. My husband said that he hadn't seen me grin like that in years. I don't get excited very easily, but I'm tickled to death.
As I posted earlier, I said these were my first eyelash vipers. I've got the humidity & temps right, but I'm open to all input you can offer. I've already done extensive research, & memorized the book, but nothing compares to those who've had hands(hooks) on experience with them.
Thanks y'all,
Cricket

I think eyelashes are pretty hardy and don't require THAT much husbandry skills. I kept mine in the 70's and sprayed the cage on a daily basis. I kept them in a vision, I think it was a 111 or 211. I had forest floor bedding, a few vines and a plastic palm tree (less chance for pests), and it seemed to work great.
I never had a problem with my yellow one, although it was a bit p!ssy, it always fed, and roosted. If you notice them spending less time roosting and more on the ground, there's a problem,or if they are not feeding. Eyelashes are known for going long distances without food, but I fed mine a f/t mouse on a bi-weekly basis. It never refused food. Have fun with your new snakes, and don't underestimate their strike distance potential.
-tom

Thanks. I remember reading that they can strike almost the entire length of their body. As a general rule, I treat all my hots like they have the long strike. Less chance for error. Right now, they're exploring their new home. And it's fun trying to see them poke their heads out of the varying branches.
I'm thinking about getting a fogger to use on them. Any thoughts on this?
Cricket

you may also want to try one of those small waterfalls. It depends on what type of enclosure you are using.

I do not have a TON of experience with eyelash vipers, seeing as I only have 1. But I've had her for about 2 years, so I DO know a thing or 2. As already stated they have a SERIOUS striking distance. I find that mine is hesitant to strike at me unless my glove or hook actually touches it. This was especially true when she was very little but I used it to my advantage. When feeding, all that i needed to do was touch her with the food item and she would strike and hold it, eventually swallowing it. They are almost exclusively nocturnal, I do not recommend cage maintenance during the night. Most times they are very calm and relaxed during hooking or anything else for that matter. But at night they can really FLY up a hook.

They seem to be very hardy, I keep mine in a cage with a hot spot of 90 and a cold side of 70. She tends to hang out on the warmer side just out of the hot spot, probably mid to high 80s. I do not mist her down very frequently, every 3 days or so. All in all, I am very happy with mine, and I hope you enjoy yours.

Thank you very much for the info. I'm very happy with mine. It seems like they've already picked their resting spots. I'm going to turn the light off in just a little while. I think it will be interesting to watch them move around. I've already seen my male move from one branch to another. He's got quite a stretch.
Cricket

Non-venomous... and I think very pretty. I still like Eyelash vipers a whole lot and wish you luck.

The picture is a little dark, but still pretty. Wasn't that a BRB? I have an adult WC pair of them. I'm going to try breeding them in the upcoming season. I couldn't do it this year. Took a while to get them acclimated.
Cricket

and i think she is one of the most unique ones i have seen...thanks though

Sorry about the misidentification. It truly is a gorgeous snake.
Cricket