Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought the indigo keepers may find this species interesting. It's the Papuan Black Snake, Pseudechis papuanus. I keep a pair and they are not lap snakes like indigos and quite venomous. These grow to around 6 foot. They eat frogs in their native New Guinea however are apparently disappearing due to eating cane toads.

Dan

That things cheeks look like it packs a wallop!
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Todd Hughes

That's what I just thought.

How Crazy are they Dan?

Nate

In a cage they are seemingly settled. However out and hooked, they are flighty and sharp to be defensive. Lock boxes are utilized to obviously reduce any and all contact with them.

Dan

Hi there Dan,

Those are very nice snakes! Here also is my "other" black snake, a 6 foot long African Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca). These are my all time favorite snakes. They have a well deserved reputation for aggression, however; He is even calmer than my adult Yellow Tailed Cribo's!!!!

The baby forest cobra's when born in the banded phase look nearly identical to baby Black Tailed Cribo's, down to the striped markings below the eye.

Truly,

Paul Bodnar
Crocodile Wildlife Conservationist

Hood of the African Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca).

Truly,

Paul Bodnar
Crocodile Wildlife Conservationist

I have mucho respect for all the Australia/New Guinea elapids. Even though Papuan blacks may not be a whole lot to look at aesthetically, to me they are stunning animals just considering their taxonomy and of course their medical potential. I really hope you're able to breed this declining species.
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Chance Duncan
Science Teacher, Herp Enthusiast, and Reptilian Conservation Proponent
www.rvexotics.com