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.

Are you the same LAF from livefoods? I agree its shame that some of the colubrids such as Psammophis sp. are licensed.

The main problem your going to experience with the T.dhara is gettin them to take defrost. A lot of WC rear fanged snakes are renowned for not wanting to even smell anything mammalian, saying that there are exceptions. Ideally skinks can be used, possibly occellated?, for scenting however I've always found this slightly ineffective unless the pinkies are thoroughly washed so no trace of smell is left.

Failing that you could try the 'Lizard Scenter' which is meant to be invaluable to kingsnake breeders for toruble feeding hatchlings. I dont have experience with it myself but have only heard good things. If both of these dont work then you will possibly have to look at force feeding to try and get a feeding response started or live feeding.

Remember to treat all WC snakes, I check with the shops and even do them again if I feel slightly dubious. 10% panicure can be used as well as treatment for flagylates which can actually kick-start feeding sometimes. Living stateside would make this process so much easier with the availability of cheap anoles and such as feeders as well as the generally accepted attitude to it over there, however it does seem frowned upon/illegal in the UK.

All the best and if you need any other help give us an email if you want: stroudster@hotmail.com. Or wait for some of the other guys to post on here.

Cheers

James

I'm in the process of getting this lad feeding

Hi James,

Yeah, it's the same LAF. Good to find a strong UK community over livefoods - hope I haven' raised anyones hackels too much there :0)

Unfortunately the Telescopus I came across have been sold, but there is a possibility of more coming into stock so I will be checking back frequently.

The feeding issue was my primary concern also. After speaking to people who have kept and bred these snakes, it would seem that the task of getting this species to feed on rodents is not overly insurmountable, but they're clearly not going to be as straight forward as species that I have kept in the past (the only potentially picky feeders I have kept are Heterdon, and mine, like most, were anything but picky). The lizard scenter sounds like a very prudent standby, I will make sure I have one of these on hand in case it is required. It's been a few years since I kept and bred snakes (my collection was diaspanded to friends prior to going away to uni in 1998), so I am a little out of touch with some of the products now available.

Any WC animals that come into my charge will certainly be treated and Panacur is the treatment that keeps being mentioned to me. Sounds like they way to go.

Many thanks for your respobnse and you kind offer of advice, and good luck with the lad! (Leptophis ahaetulla nigromarginatus?), he's a little stunner!

Regards, Lee.

Close, Leptophis mexicana, one of the nicest snakes I've kept just doesn't like mice *bangs head against wall*

James

I posted in the main forum before here. Didn't see this one until now.

I must have been lucky... I've seen two T. dhara converted over to frozen with no problem at all. One was a baby and one was about a 3ft snake. No clue on how old that makes it.

I treated both with panacur/flagyl 2x (7-10 days apart) and have had wonderful luck since. I leave food for them and it's gone over night. Never offered lizards, live rodents or scented rodents.

Temp and cage wise, I treat them like most other colubrids. Only heat is from a boaphile cage. I push the hide box back up against the hot wall.

Dave

Thanks Dave, you've confirmed there what a few people have said to me. Perhaps these guys won't be too tough to keep after all )

Regards, Lee.

np

Ah well, close! One thought, Leptophis frequently predate treefrogs and their spawn. Have you thought of trying frog-scenting for these? And a couple of bullfrogs might be able to supply you with all the food you'd need for a clutch of these should you breed them (in the form of tadpoles that is).

Lee.

Alright trying that! Been scenting using various tree frogs as well as trying baby quail as they have also been known to predate on hatchling birds. Interest isn't the problem, its just trying to develop an adequate feeding response.

James