Euprepiophis mandarinus

 

 

 

 

Area: S outhern and central China

 

Length: max. 140 / 160 cm (length is depending on the subspecies)

 

Feeding: small mice and baby rats

 

English name: Mandarin ratsnake

 

 

The Mandarin ratsnake is a beautiful, secretive Asian ratsnake with a black till grey basic colour with yellow and red spots. The belly is light white. You can not change / switch this snake with an other species. The Asian ratsnakes have a timorous , shy character and will keep this behaviour the rest of their lives. The Asian ratsnake likes to hide, but comes selden out of there hide boxes to search actively for food. These snakes like it cool between 20 and 24 Celsius . A lot of adult and sub-adult specimens are frequently imported in large numbers for the pet trade . These specimens are heavily loaded with parasites, badly stressed and very nervous and the keeper who successfully acclimates one and gets it to feed is rare indeed. Try to avoid to buy wild caught animals. Captive-bred babies are now present and the are healthy. If the temperature is stay limited and you have a lot of shelters there will be no problems.

 

Upkeep: The Mandarin ratsnake is easy to keep. The temperature is day over maximal 26 degrees, at night 20 degrees. As substrate we use a lot of wood strings on the bottom. More shelters are needed. You can use artificial plants and a little piece of wood. Try to avoid stress, keep them in rest. Feed only small mice or baby rats. Adults mice are mostly throw out. Better is to feet them several crawler or hopper mice. A small water dish makes it complete.

 

Breeding: They needs a winter rest in the months October till half December (till 15 degrees). They mate in January and lay maximal 8 eggs. You can incubate the eggs in wet vermiculite. The incubation time will take from 58 till 60 days, at an average temperature of 25/26 degrees. After three years the hatchlings become adults.