Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have finally tracked down a source of these great little snakes in the UK (Telescopus dhara), and am sorely tempted... However, I have found very little information available on their husbandry. In terms of lifestyle and niche they seem comparible to the new world lyre snakes, so my presumption would be that their husbandry would be similar. Does anyone on here have any info on their husbandry? I've found an image online of another Telescopus species eating a mouse, but my biggest concern is that they might reject anything but lizards. On this occasion the point of sale is a reptile supplier that deals in a lot of imported colubrids, so I'll listen to their advice but won't take it as gospel as I have never had dealings with them before. They've got a couple of Malpolon species and a couple of Psammophis species in stock too, but alas, they're DWA over here. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards, Lee.

Just wanted to let you know I've kept and bred telescopus and if you'd like to contact me I'll give any info I can
thanks
Tim MADDREPTILES
www.maddreptiles.com
Link

Hey,

I've had T. dhara for a few years. Incredibly easy snake to keep. Out of two wild caughts, both took rodents without any question. I can't guarantee this is the norm.

One baby was kept on paper towel in a shoe box with water.

I keep mine in a boaphile sweaterbox system on aspen. I've got a stick to add some dimention to the cage and include a water dish. The snake does not eat in front of me. However, given their venom potency, I don't really have any interest in tong feeding (mine are quite short). And yes, it would have to be an incrediby odd circumstance for a fang to actually get into a finger. Dr. Fry said here once that they even have trouble envenomating house geckos... taking upwards of 5 minutes of chewing before being able to work a fang into the soft skin. They have huge venom glands, but their teeth are way far back. SO, I just leave food on top of the plastic hide box and it is always gone by morning. I've never had a shed problem. I did treat this guy for internal parasites.

Dave