Re: Sulawesi Black Rat snake? anyone keep these?

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Posted by epiphyte1 on February 23, 2003 at 22:34:05:

In Reply to: Sulawesi Black Rat snake? anyone keep these? posted by Bammer on February 23, 2003 at 01:21:13:

I keep a pair of these, the all black, what might be considered melanistic form that you mention. If viewed in full sunlight, they actually appear more of a glossy dark brown than the glossy black color they look under artificial light. Both of mine have a white rostral scale, and eye color is an unusual blue/grey color around the black pupil. When I aquired mine, they had apparently been in captivity and feeding for several months and appeared healthy, but I treated them with Fenbendazole (Panacur, Safeguard are two brand names used on livestock) to eliminate any parasitic roundworm infestation. I have heard rumors that Metronidazole (Flagyl)is fatal to the related Gonyosoma oxycephala. I am not sure if this is true (anyone have any comments on this?), or if the medication is blamed when otherwise overly stressed imports are subjected to the additional stress of forcing medications into their system, and end up dying. Either way, I played it safe and did not treat them with this drug, which is safe in other species for eliminating flagellated protozoans. Surprisingly, fecal samples viewed under a microscope are remarkably clean.

Like you, I found that there is not much in-depth information on any of the color forms of the Elaphe/Gonyosoma janseni, and some even consider this species merely a variant of the already highly variable G. oxycephala. I have heard several reports that the janseni is much more terrestrial than oxycephala, but mine spend most of the time up off the ground. This species has a reputation for being savagely defensive. Though mine are rarely handled, they will bite, but I would consider them less aggressive than some of my North American ratsnakse. The way I have kept my pair of black janseni is based on how others keep G. oxycephala. But for display purposes, I go to the extreme of having a large cage(approx 8'high, 6' wide, and 4 feet deep) densely landscaped with living plants to look natural. I have metal halide lighting which is mainly for the plants and for a more natural look, but also serves as the heat source. Aerial niches are strategically arranged so the snakes can position themselves at whatever distance to the light they want. The coolest part of the cage is in the mid 70's. Humidity is kept high, easy to do with living plants in the enclosure. Both of my adults eagerly eat frozen/thawed adult mice offered on tongs. Since mine are kept together, they are closely monitered during feeding so there are no problems.

Hopefully I will sucessfully produce some hatchlings in the near future. I will be glad to help with any more information. Good luck!

:Celebes Black Tailed Rat Snake, Sulawesi black rat snake, Elaphe Janseni? I am not sure on the CORRECT Name. I was at a herp store today and I ran into this beauty. I want to know any possible information on this species of snake... it is so gorgeous.. one thing I liked about it was that it was completely black. Like, Indigo black... so beautiful...

:When I got home I looked up some websites, couldnt find any "care" tips, but found a breeder that bred these. The only difference was that his was like gray with a black tail... the one I saw today was ALL black. Melanistic? Just curious.

:Also, are they arboreol lizard eaters? Its body design seemed like it would be in the trees....

:Thanks for all your imput!

:Starkey
:

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