Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a chance to get a 2' WC C.c. mormon from NorCal. Anybody out there w/ any care info (bedding, temps, cage size etc.)? Anybody have experience caring for these snakes in captivity? I've heard as adults they're about 3-4'. Anyone currently keep these as captives? If so, what are you feeding?

reako45

Hello,
I currently have one juvenile Coluber mormon, and it's a great snake. They generally grow to between 2' and 3.5' but sometimes grow larger. I keep mine on a substrate of decomposed granite with a one inch layer of oak leaf litter. This seems to work fine, but you could always use other substrates as well such a ground coconut, aspen, or cypress mulch. Keep the substrate relatively dry with misting only once or twice a week. Cage size depends on the number and size of the snakes kept within. For an adult pair I would recommend a cage size of 48"L by 24"D by 24"T. Of course you could keep them in a smaller setup, but bigger is usually better with speedy colubrids. One must also consider that these snakes are confirmed snake eaters and the possibility is there that could eat each other. As always, keep a filled water basin present at all times. Provide a lot of branches for climbing, I use manzanita and it loves using it to climb.
Feeding these snakes isn't always easy. In the wild, they are opportunistic and will take down a variety of prey including lizards, frogs, small birds, and small rodents. Their most common prey is lizards and if yours don't take to mice easily I would recommend scenting the mouse with a lizard. I have discovered that small snakes love crickets. Mine will eat a dozen at a time, and I always use supplements on the crickets.
I'm pretty sure that's it. If you have any more questions just say so or e-mail me at the address below.
-----
Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

I forgot temperatures. I use a "hot side" of 85F with a "cool side" of about 72-75F. The hot spot is at 90F.
-----
Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
1.1 Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus
0.0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.2 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.2 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville