Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need care information for Conophis lineatus (road guarder). My searches have yielded nothing. Any pertinent link or bit of info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Road Guarders are always quite nervous and not at all easy to handle much less can quickly turn their head and latch on easily. Light gloves are recommended as they will not stay on hooks and will get you if you hold them for more than a few seconds. They require a semi-arid/desert set up. I keep mine on dry mulch to avoid ingestion of sand with a small water bowl, rocks, and hide cave. They are reported to eat mainly lizards in the wild, but even small specimens have easily taken to appropriate sized rodents. I provide a light misting once a week just to keep it from drying out and it often will mill about on the misted mulch absorbing the water and then going back below the mulch. Some people have reported mild effects from their venom, however others have reported severe effects. They are quite strong and seem to kill the rodent with the crushing power in combination with their venom.

Dan

Another pic of how they wait to ambush their prey. Drop something near its head and its a gonner for sure. Oh, keep in mind that they are expert escape artists, and are very strong and will be able to pry open tupperware container lids with no problems, so keep a secure lip whatever you do.

Dan

My specimen has proven to be a bit stubborn. It wouldn't eat for its previous owner. I dropped a fuzzy into the cage earlier, and no luck so far. I'll keep trying, and hopefully, this snake will come around. In the next few days, I'll attempt feeding an anole. Thanks again.

Yea, they need some time to settle and for a while and seem a bit jumpy with something moving around so perhaps a dead fuzzy or pink or dead pink might do the trick. Also, scenting a pink with a lizard might help get it motivated. After a few months they assume a hunt position beneath the mulch and take after hoppers like mad. I had one that had a tremendous feeding response and it shot up and out of the cage when it knew food was in the room and was being delivered to it. But it seems it takes several months to condition them like so many other snakes. Good Luck.

Dan

Where is this snake native too? It never fails, if I want to here about a snake that I've never heard about, come to the rear-fang forum

The few species of them range from Mexico to Costa Rica.

Harry Greene mentions in his book "Snakes" that there have been reports of serious envenomations and possible fatalities linked to this species, so whatever you do, tread with caution as there is no AV for Conophis.

Good note. I thought I heard or read that somewhere but could not remember the source. Thanks.