| general
|
| description |
It is a highly variable
snake species that sometimes boasts outrageous combinations
of bizarre patterned and brilliantly colored specimens. |
| distribution |
U.S.A.
(throughout the Chihuahuan Desert from in the vicinity
of San Juan del Rio in Durango, Mexico, north to Eddy
County in extreme southern New Mexico) |
| adult
size |
28" - 36" ;
latgest in record is 58" |
| hatchling
size |
7" - 12" |
| venomousness |
Nonvenomous |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial;
Rocky canyons and arroyos, limestone ridges, talus slopes
and boulder piles |
| cage
|
It should be large instead
of tall because it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium)
Make sure it is escape-proof, easy to disinfect, free
of sharp edges, dry, well ventilated, and hold heat to
ensure proper temperatures. |
| substrate |
wood shavings, barks (e.g.
Repti Bark, Coconut
Bark), gravel, fine sand (e.g. Repti
sand, Calci-Sand),
compressed paper granules (e.g. Good
Mews) |
| activity
period |
 Nighttime (nocturnal);
give heat and help monitoring by infrared lamps (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp) where the light is invisible for it but
humans |
| temperature |
26 - 30 ¢XC -- day
(e.g. Daylight Blue Bulb,
Basking Spot Lamp)
21 - 25 ¢XC -- night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
mid to low |
| water
dish |
a water dish (e.g. Rock
water dish) should be available for it to drink or
soak in. It would usually excrete in water. It is specially
important for one that is going to shed its skin. |
| hiding
place |
Essential, a place for
its privacy, security and sleep by day.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habbe
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| wild
diet |
Carnivorous (meat-eating);
primarily lizards and rodents |
| captive
food |
Rodents (e.g. mice, rats) |
| how
often to feed? |
once every 5 - 7 days
for hatchlings to juveniles;
once every 7 - 10 days for adults |
| notes |
1. Feed it in the dark.
2. Do not ever move your hands near when it is feeding.
3. Do not handle it till a day after the feed. |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
|
Oviparous; lays 4 - 13
eggs in as little as 30 days after breeding |
