Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I was just wondering, if there were someone "over there" ( in the US), who works with Drymobius margaritiferus, and succeed in breeding them continuously?
It's a very uncommon species, over here in europe and it seems like most european keepers, have a hard time breeding the species.

Cheers
Jakob

I don't know of any keepers of Drymobius in the states, people have kept them but I think most have had a hard enough time keeping them alive. Maybe you want to share some of your care info to us "over here"

Nate

Hi Nate,

I would love to... If I had any.
I have been searching high and low, for any specimens, but they are impossible to find.
So I was hoping that someone bred them, and wanted to share some information, and perhaps ship a clutch or two, across the Atlantic ocean

The boats the same over here brother.
I think the biggest problem with Drymobius is how they key in on frogs so much. Sure I've heard of a few people switching them but I don't know how well that actually helped.
Nate

I think once I get these guys figured out some of the harder species are on my list.

Well, I just have to keep looking. Someday I might get lucky.

That is one beautiful snake, you got there... Is it a Pseustes?

Hey Jakob,

They used to be occasionally available back in the mid to late 80's in the USA. Back then I bought a pair from a pet store, and they did well for a year or so. Right when I thought I'd have a chance to attempt to breed them the female up and died. They ate live fuzzy mice without any problem, although I also fed them feeder goldfish. Due to their metabolism they needed to eat more frequently than say a corn snake or kingsnake though.

Since the 80's I haven't seen one available in any pet stores (which isn't where I buy snakes from nowadays). I remember in about 2003 or so there were some of the green colored ones for sale here on kingsnake. You'd think someone would've succeeded with them by now.

Good luck!
Chris

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your answer

I have heard from other ex-keepers, that they suddently died, though they were feeding well on mice.
Perhaps they cannot live on an all rodent diet?!

Well I'll probably have to track down a central or south american breeder/exporter (if possible), pay the freight and fees and take a bunch of Drymobius home...

Hey Jakob,

It's amazing to me that in spite of how common these snakes apparently are in the wild, they are near impossible to find nowadays! I wish you luck. I remember I did treat mine with Panacur and Flagyll after I had gotten them. So it shouldn't have been a parasite issue. Maybe you are correct, they shouldn't eat just a rodent diet. Back then I kept them separately in 10 gallon terrariums on paper towels. In the daytime the temp was kept at about 85 and 70 at night.

If you find some I'd love to see the photos!

Later,
Chris

PS Where are you located at?

Thanks, I will keep that in mind

If i dont find anything in Europe, it wont be before 2010. Taking home a shipment from overseas, is a bit too expensive, and according to my wife, I have used my snake budget, for 2009.
but if I ever get some, i'll be sure to post lots of pics.

I live in Denmark

Hey Jakob, sorry to just jump into your thread. I have been trying to locate a breeder here in the states for the last year and a half and haven't found anyone. I keep hoping someone from Mexico will see the thread since it overlaps from Texas to N. Mexico. It's looking like the only option would be wild caughts and hope for the best keeping them. The only problem is they are highly protected in Texas. If I here of anything, I'll let you know, if you would do the same. That would be great. If you use facebook, shoot me a friend request and we can keep in touch.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1653637960

Thanks, Eric
My FB Page

I kept Drymobius for a long time and just lost my last female last year. They are actually quite easy to feed. Treat them like a garter snake...not a racer. Most will readily eat fish and mine all ate fuzzy mice. The biggest problem with them is that they become obese very quickly when fed rodents. You will not find any captive born specimens, only wild caught imports. They are usually in pretty bad shape by the time they get to you. Good luck on your search and be sure to buy a box of band-aids when you do get one! They are fiesty!

I agree with Si- I bought two and one ate mice immediately while one didn't- and died quickly. Funny thing was, he seemed not to be able to see frozen/thawed, only live moving fuzzies. When I'd drop a F & Th in, he could smell it and go nuts charging around his cage trying to find it until he literally ran his face into it. He'd instantly nail it and slam the dead mouse into walls, the cage top, branches and rocks until he was sure it was "stunned", then gulp it down. They don't constrict- they beat the prey into submission! Over his captive life, he ate (mostly) fuzzies, goldfish and anoles. In the desert where I live, frogs are not available or I'd have tried them too, just as a varient. Second thing- the backside of their teeth are microscopically serrated like a breadknife so even though they're small, you can get some impressive slashes. After 3 yrs, mine was cautiously handle-able but died at 4 of an undetected parasite- a danger with wild caughts. Being protected in the U.S, all that I found came from Central America. I'd really like to find another as handle-able as this one was.

I kept and bred them for several years. They were easy to keep and easy to breed. I gave them up when I got married and my wife had a problem with all the reptiles. They eat fish, and have a high metabolism. Most people failed because they tried to keep them like racers or cornsnakes when they are more like garter Snakes. To breed them you just feed them alot, feed daily accept for winter months and they will lay up to three clutches a year. Typically 6 -8 eggs. I kept them in groups of three or four, in 100 gallon reptariums load with live plants, ficus trees etc.