Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all

My first posting on this forum as I've just found a Lycodonomorphus rufulus in my Koi pond, and have hopes of keeping it in a tank. I cannot get it to feed, however, having tried to leave small fish in a bowl in his tank, but these die in a matter of hours.

I've tried a pinkie mouse, but that was considered and then ignored by the snake.

We are coming up to Winter here in South Africa, so it might be about to hibernate, but I would appreciate any feeding - or other - suggestions!

Also, what temps are correct for this species? He seems to stay away from the heating pad and curl up under some driftwood which I have added.

Cheers!

It may well be that the snake is preparing for hibernation and is therefore off feed.
My lycodonomorphus (many years ago) fed well on goldfish and guppies. He seemed to prefer to fish while submerged and anchored to tree roots below the surface.
Water temps where about 72F and air 80F with a sunning lamp at around 95F.
The setup was a very large tank with approx. 8" of water with under-gravel filter, branches rising from the water and several islands set at random about the tank.
MY MISTAKE was that I had English ivy growing profusely throughout the tank and water (rooting beautifully and always green). Turns out the stuff is toxic! Might have been alright had I not allowed it to fill so much of the water volume.
Michael

Hi

Was yours in an Aquarium with no dry land? How was it set up?
I haven't used any real veg so that I can avoid toxicity - 'poison' Ivy, huh? That sucks! BTW If yours was a wet & Dry set up, roughly what percentage of time did the snake spend in the water?

Thanks!(Would add a smilie, but can't find 'em!)

Yes, I had an aquarium set-up however, it was arranged as a vivarium with about 30% land (islands) and branches throughout. The islands where plastic containers weighted with rocks, topped with sand and lids with holes cut into the sides above the water-line (simulating caverns). Others where same construction with flower pot dishes on top also filled with sand (open sunning spots) and again some had flower pots, planted with ivy, etc.
Branches rose from the water or where "rooted" in islands.
The snake spent 80% of his time in the water at least during the day when I could see him (I was at work most every day so ...).
I'm sure that like our water snakes, the majority of time was spent sunning and that being immersed for long periods would not be good for Lycodonomorphus as for Nerodia. At least, allowing this would risky.
Michael