Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hope the topic doesn't incure a gag reflex in you guys and gals, but I've been out of herps for 20 plus years. Back when I was into them the Drys were so heavily regulated you had to be nuts to try. From reading the forums a bit it seems like there's been a bunch of captive breeding going on. Horray!! My daughter is getting interested in herps so I'm wondering how to get into breeding the Drys.

Any suggestions for getting started?

I dug a bit deeper into this forum and saw posts answering my question. I'll check out indigo.com and a few other sources. I'm dayton ohio so if there's someone you in ohio I should contact let me know. Sorry to be a newbie

Your question is intelligent and I hope that I can answer it sufficiently.

In order to get back into Dry's, the BEST and first thing that I believe that you should do is to gather as much material on their upkeep and maintenance and read it and study it. This includes books or articles. If you go go Indigosnakes.com, a dynamite site that Doug Taylor maintains, you will see articles by various authors on Indigos(Mine, Deans, Dougs) Read them and come on this forum and ask questions.We are here to help.

Next step is to find out the legal ramifications of owning one IN YOUR STATE. Some states prohibit it, these states are posted on the indigosnake site mentioned before.And realize that some drys require an interstate permit in order to move them across state lines.(The permit info is on the Indigo site...Doug did a great job)

Then your best bet is to contact breeders of the type of DRY that you want( Rubidus, couperi, etc etc) and get on their list for babies for this year, if you can afford to purchase them this year, or next year. Developing a relationship with a number of breeders will benefit you, not only from the knowledge you will gain, but also it gives you a "backup" system in case one or more of them dont produce anything this year(Get skunked production wise)

Then....research caging. Ask the breeders of Indigos what works for them, consider your space/budget limitations, and make an educated decision as to what your short term hosuing and long term housing needs are. Often, it is beneficial to start neonate drys out in fairly small rubbermaid containers, in a rack system, so the expense of caging isnt incurred immediately.(They seem to feed better and are easier to maintain in a rack, esp if you have a number of them to keep). But they will require permanent caging long term, so that must be factored in.

And lastly.....figure out WHERE in the house you would place these critters. Remember that when they defecate, it smells, so if they are in a heavy traffic area, or in a bedroom, it can make life pretty harsh for the inhabitatns!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me and Ill TRY and answer them.

Welcome aboard!!

Sincerely,

Fredrick Albury

Thanks for the very thoughtful and thorough response. All your recommendations are in keeping the the disciplines I followed back when I was once very involved with herps and herpers. You're kindness shows that the "esprit de corps" is still on going. Many thanks.

One major change in keeping Drymarchon from then to now is the realization that high temperatures are bad, not good. LLLow 80's during the day down to low 70's at night is generally desirable outside of breeding season, when low temps for some sub-species can get into the 60's. Many of those indigos in the old days had rubbed noses from trying to escape cages with too high temps.

Welcome aboard!
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"Life without risk is to merely exist."