Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey there folks. I've learned that the Blue Beauties are pipping so in another few weeks I should be receiving my first ever of these snakes. I have a zillion questions, and have read through the last three or four pages of forum and done a search on the old forums so I hope that my questions will be specific enough not to get flamed!

1. How big do they get? I've seen posts referring to them at 8' plus. Just wanted to know their size limitations.

2. Are they in any way arboreal? or are they ground loving snakes?

3. What are their temperature/humidity requirements?

4. As hatchlings what do they eat?

5. Are there any webpages devoted to these (or devoted to the Beauty snakes) that anyone can point me towards. I looked at the FAQ section here at kingsnake and saw they had a "ratsnakes" of north america, which didn't help.

6. Are there any specific things I should know about these snakes? I have a couple of years experience with california kings, and have recently purchased a number of other species. So I'm not a total newbie to snakes, but this will be my first "Asian" snake. (I have Corns, Kings, and a single Rosy Boa, Tiger Rat, and Jungle Carpet Python). I just want to make sure I don't make any specific mistake that could be easily avoided.

7. Are there any publications (books?) that deal with the Beauty Snakes?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice on this.
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~Sasheena

I have a Taiwan beauty, and it's just like having a long skinny American rat. Very easy snakes. They do seem to like to climb, and have a very... healthy feeding response. I've seen pics of 8 foot blue beauties, E. taeinuras can grow to be a lot of snake. Mine's hit 6 feet recently, and is still growing.

1. How big do they get?

Estimate having a easy 7' snake. My male is 8' 2", and my female is just over 7 1/2'.

2. Are they in any way arboreal? or are they ground loving snakes?

Semi-arboreal at best, not seeming to like climbing as much as some other subspecies.

3. What are their temperature/humidity requirements?

Nothing too outrageous here. I keep mine like most of my other snakes. 80-85F daytime, with a humidity ranging from 50-60%. Mine seem to be doing real well, including my current hatchlings.

4. As hatchlings what do they eat?

My hatchlings are eating f/t large pink mice, but will be moving up to fuzzies in not too long. Average hatchling size is 12".

5. Are there any webpages devoted to these (or devoted to the Beauty snakes) that anyone can point me towards. I looked at the FAQ section here at kingsnake and saw they had a "ratsnakes" of north america, which didn't help.

I'm not real sure here, as I got all my information "hands-on", or from other people who had worked with them. I've never heard of any sites devoted to them exclusively.

6. Are there any specific things I should know about these snakes? I have a couple of years experience with california kings, and have recently purchased a number of other species. So I'm not a total newbie to snakes, but this will be my first "Asian" snake. (I have Corns, Kings, and a single Rosy Boa, Tiger Rat, and Jungle Carpet Python). I just want to make sure I don't make any specific mistake that could be easily avoided.

Stick to a CB and you'll have a good hardy snake that shouldn't be hard at all to keep, and they grow fast, so you don't have to worry about the worries that come with a small snake for very long.

7. Are there any publications (books?) that deal with the Beauty Snakes?

There are a few ratsnake books out there. I'm personally looking for something more "up to date". A lot of the current stuff will get you by, but doesn't contain a lot of current information. And I personally haven't found anything on just Beauty snakes.

Hope this gives you a little help. If you have any further questions, feel free to drop me a line.

ciao
nazzza
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