Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just curious about how difficult cb mandarins are. I know that they like the temps a little cooler and can stress fairly easily... But is it stress like, after you hold it it hides for 2 hours or is it stress like, you held it and it regurges and won't eat for 2 weeks? If I handled it maybe 2 times a week for about 20 minutes each (aside from feeding) would this be too stressfull? Also how would I keep the temps down? My room is usually right at 80-82. Maybe if their tank was right over the vent and right by the window in winter...? are they problem feeders or pretty easy if they are well started? thanks for your help! Also do you guys think the prices will drop anymore within the next year or 2?
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)

I would say that any handling of a mandarin, other than for maintanance reasons, would be too much. Mine are great eaters as long as I don't look at them. When I first got them I had them in clear cages and they freaked out everytime there was movement by the cage. Now they are in opaque cages with damp sphagnum moss hide boxes in the rear of the cage that they spend most of their lives in or under. As a matter of fact I have a male that I have never seen eat. I put his f/t fuzzies behind his hide box and leave the room, they are always gone in the morning. I keep my rack heated and the room on the cool side, so with them on a top shelf without heat they do just fine with a temp in the mid 70's. They are beautiful animals that make horrible display animals and very bad pets. They are a great animal to take care of in captivity however, for the right person with the right expectations. As far a price dropping--I hope not, mine should breed for the first time this season.
Kayvon

it depends on the quality of babies you start with. captive hatched babies, from a wild caught female, can be a nightmare to work with. we have had perhaps 10-120% success in getting those animals to feed and do well.

for actual u.s. captive bred babies, the success rate should be much higher. but again, it depends on the source. some breeders sell them after the first shed, and leave all the work (and heartache) to you. at PE, we don't sell the babies until they are well established, and typically feeding on thawed pinks. it makes a world of difference to have a well started baby.

as for handling, they will never be one of the "hey, i love to be held" snakes. they are more for visual enjoyment, for the intermediate or advanced hobbyists, a keeper that doesn't need a lot of interaction to get enjoyment from the animals. that said, they are a TERRIFIC snake, one of my favorites, and highly recommended.

basic care can be found on our site. we have bred Mandarins successfully for many years now, and i think they are a very underrated snake : )
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles