Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is anyone working with moellendorffi?

This guy is one of my favorite snakes. I bought him a year and a half ago at a local show. The previous owner said he is about 5 years old. One thing I notice when I handle him, is he seems to be very stiff on any non-supported part of his body. It feels very different from other snakes in the same situation. Anyone else notice this? All in all a very interesting species that I wish was more available.

Only a few guys breed them and the wild caughts hardly ever survive. At least one of the guys who frequents this forum has worked with them. I only know of one breeder in the US but pretty soon people who have bought his hatchlings should be starting to produce. One of these days I'll have to get a pair of them. They're seem very cool.

I know a few very experienced ratsnake guys who attempted to raise some CB hatchlings of this species, several times. They all told me the same story. The hatchlings do fine for a while, but then after a couple of months, seemingly for no reason at all, they just drop dead. Until this problem gets resolved, I'd say Orthriophis moelendorfi hatchlings are a bad investment.

>>I know a few very experienced ratsnake guys who attempted to raise some CB hatchlings of this species, several times. They all told me the same story. The hatchlings do fine for a while, but then after a couple of months, seemingly for no reason at all, they just drop dead. Until this problem gets resolved, I'd say Orthriophis moelendorfi hatchlings are a bad investment.

Exactly what I've been told and experienced too. They are very delicate for the first year it seems and many just die within this period for no apparent reason.
I brought two CB females a few years back and although both initially feed well and appeared to be thriving, at approx 4 & 5 months of age i found them dead in there tubs.

Sue x
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I got some hatchlings back in early 05, and they have done well.

I keep them cool (mid 70's) feed them smaller food items 1-2 times a week, and I don't handle them.

I also keep their cage fairly sterile (aside from a container with damp moss, which they spend a bit of time in)

I dealt with a number of WC and the longest any of them lived was just over a year.

>>I got some hatchlings back in early 05, and they have done well.
>>
>>I keep them cool (mid 70's) feed them smaller food items 1-2 times a week, and I don't handle them.
>>
>>I also keep their cage fairly sterile (aside from a container with damp moss, which they spend a bit of time in)
>>
>>I dealt with a number of WC and the longest any of them lived was just over a year.
>>

Thats brilliant .. nice to hear someone is having a positive experience with this species
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I have had 2.1 CB for about 1 year now and they are doing quite well, although they are not ravenous eaters and seem to be growing fairly slowly. I keep mine with a damp hide and dry hide with no heat source. They seem to like using the wet hide best.
Although nervous and feisty, they seem to be quite active and I have had some issues with nose rubbing. I keep them in rubbermaids so damage is minimal though. I recently switched from paper towel to aspen in hope they will appreciate the chance to borrow.
They are very beautiful snakes but I would agree that they are not for the inexperienced and I would never venture into keeping WC.

I have a pair with I purchased a few years ago as captive bred. This was the first year of attempting to breed them (the female may be pregnant but I'm not sure yet). I moved them from my Rubbermaids into a 55 gal tank because they are great display animals.

I have a pair with I purchased a few years ago as captive bred. This was the first year of attempting to breed them (the female may be pregnant but I'm not sure yet). I moved them from my Rubbermaids into a 55 gal tank because they are great display animals. >>

Oh WoW .. great photo's .. Fingers crossed that your female is gravid .. Good Luck .. It's great to hear of people finally having success with this species

Sue x
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The Ratsnake Foundation Online Society