Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There doesn't seem to be many people talking about them in this forum, is anyone working with them?

I have three but they are too small to breed. They were difficult to feed at first. I thought they were going to die because they got really thin. Force fed them raw egg through a short length of plastic tubing using a syringe. Still would not eat so I put them each in a small plastic box with damp paper and a live pinkie and they finally ate. They are still slow feeders but are growing.

I work with them and I know a few others here do as well.
Mark
Coldbloodednj@yahoo.com

I have been hearing that they can be difficult or slow feeders, but they seem to turn the corner and do fine. I have worked with difficult feeders before (mostly venomous snakes), so I'm not really worried about that part of it. I didn't see any at the last Hamburg show, so I may have to start doing other shows to see if any are available.

What is the price range for these animals, generally speaking?

I had a large colony of adult conicus in the 1980's and 1990's and produced several hundred young. The key to breeding them is a shortened winter photoperiod and night cooling into the mid-60's with day temps back up to 80. Virtually all mature adults will produce young when cycled in this manner. My newborns fed first time food was offered 95% of the time. The key is to wait for the first shed at 7 to 8 days after birth and always keep them on one to two inches of fine sand at between 85 and 90 degrees. They will bury themselves with just the eyes and nose showing and should be offered live pinks at night laid on the sand in front of them. These will be eaten after lights out. Sand is much superior to paper, chips, or aspen to initiate feeding as it has the weight against their body they need to feel secure. After several months of feeding, they can usually be moved to another substrate without too much trouble.

Kelly

Thanks for the tips, Kelly.

Ive seen them at shows from $50 to $80 for babies. Not usually many around it seems. Its ashame cause theyre a neat snake to work with.
Mark