Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a sunbeam snake(xenopeltis unicolor) He is so pretty. Well I am unclear on some of the care. I have a live mouse in there with him(I know I know but it is how I was told he is feeding and it isn't even looking(mouse and snake) at it)he hasn't eaten it. right now it is warm side about 77 and I don't know cool yet(only had him a couple of hours now) what are the temperatures supposed to be I'v heard 70 to 80 and cool end 75-80 and warm 86-88? well I am using a shoe box(big enough how big for adult?) right now some sphagnum moss(I think thats how you spell it) in there and he is buried in it half really damp other half medium damp, and a large water dish and thats all the cage furniture. right now he is 26 inches and weight is not measured. how else should I try to feed? I will add more info and more qs as I go along josh.
p.s I now know that they are hard to keep and often die and don't like handling.
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1vine snake
2 turtles
1 greek tortoise
1ball python
1 corn snake
1 childrens python
1 het for albino san diego gopher snake
1 tarantula
some mice
and what ever lizards my vine snake hasn't eaten yet

the sunbeam is 83 grams and the cool sie is at and if you have any good care sheets point me to them or if you know alot tell me.
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1vine snake
2 turtles
1 greek tortoise
1ball python
1 corn snake
1 childrens python
1 het for albino san diego gopher snake
1 tarantula
some mice
and what ever lizards my vine snake hasn't eaten yet

cool side at 75 degrees F
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1vine snake
2 turtles
1 greek tortoise
1ball python
1 corn snake
1 childrens python
1 het for albino san diego gopher snake
1 tarantula
some mice
and what ever lizards my vine snake hasn't eaten yet

I keep loxocemus, but I've run across information on xenopeltis since they're grouped together.

See this caresheet on Kingsnake:

http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymountain/RMHPages/RMHsunbeam.htm

See also an article in Reptiles magazine, October 1999. Same author, so a lot of repeated information, but some extra pictures and reports on breeding.

These are one of those snakes notorious for being hard to keep, but probably because they are usually imported in such horrible shape.

Good luck,

thanks read that do you now about temps though? WHat about cypress mulch or peat moss for another adding to substrate.
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1vine snake
2 turtles
1 greek tortoise
1ball python
1 corn snake
1 childrens python
1 het for albino san diego gopher snake
1 tarantula
some mice
and what ever lizards my vine snake hasn't eaten yet

You might want to post this on the rosy rubber and sand boa forum. I remember some posts awhile back on that forum dealing with this species. Maybe someone there could give you some good info.

-Alice