Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've searched high and low and have found almost next to nothing about beauty snakes (blue, gree, Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, etc). I was at the Daytona Breeder's expo a couple of days ago and found 2 beauty snakes (a couple of albino Mocquard's). There may have been more, but there were thousands of snakes and only one of me.

I don't own one yet, but I think these are some of the most beautiful snakes around. I want one..but I want to learn about them first.

How long do they get? I've read everything from 5 feet to 11 feet. Are some kinds longer than others, and how can I tell the different kinds apart? (I've seen things listed as "Beauty snake" and I have no idea if that's going to be a 6 foot snake or a 10 foot snake, but knowing the type might help narrow it down). I'm curious about averages. I know expceptions can happen, but what should I plan for?

How big of enclosure? I've heard anything from a 20L to a small closet because they're climbers and get up to 11 feet.

Can anybody set the record straight? Seriously, tell me everything you know.

Cage size, humidity, prey types, common health issues, whatever comes to mind.

Much thanks!

Hi !
IMO the best option is to put your hands on this: A monograph of the colubrid snakes of the genus Elaphe, Fitzinger
It would be published in 1996 and is taxonomically outdated, hence the title, because its author, Klaus-Dieter Schulz, had yet to complete the revisions now in use and to describe formally a few then-unnamed subspecies (e.g. the Vietnamese blue beauty). As it is, it remains second to none though. If you are understandably not ready to pay a high price for one of the scarce copies currently available for sale, you should find it in a nearby library with a decent natural history department. I bet you won’t be disappointed.
Hope that helps.