Drymarchon Snakes

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care/breeding

My first suggestion is captive bred is the way to go, unless you enjoy the torture of taming the beast.
If wild caught is your choice: Then you will need a local Vetinarian that will work with exotics and reptiles.  My wild caught animals (yellow tails) needed a shallow pan to find and drink from, they were slow to learn the art of drinking from the bath basin tubs I use on most other adult captive bred drymarchons. I have had success with feeding chicks/chicken wings as well as live rodents at first, and then gradually get them on frozen thawed rats. The fluid and low stress environment can't be stressed enough.
Next the Fecal parasite exam with meds such as:
Droncit canine tablet, Strongid, or Panacur
Have all been safely used in my animals
Temps:
My preference on the yellow tails and black tails is 70-85
and with Texas and eastern indigos 55-85.
Yes, I prefer the cold at winter for breeding purposes and get a good outcome this way. Some breeders prefer warmer temps and this must also work.
Cleaning:
High metabolism means for frequent fecal cleaning 2 x week
water and soap, bleach 3% solution, or Nolvasan (chlorhexidine diacetate) from www.beanfarm.com
Getting the young started:
Well this is some what of a art with a lot of patience
anoles, ringneck snakes, western hognose feces for scenting
I believe these animals prefer snakes, especially the rear fanged ones. I personally have never had one eat a goldfish. I'd like to see this one.
Set up:
I prefer the 6ft vision cage with newspaper substrate and a $2 dollar plastic bath basin from Wal-Mart and a heat strip at the end with the clip lamp for a warm spot. I keep it simple for ease of frequent cleaning. You will quickly find this is key if working with many drymarchon snakes at one time.... simple is good.
Incubation:
pick what you like perulite, vermiculite
I’m, if you haven't already determined, a sand and spaghma moss kind of guy. 50:50 water sand and wet moss, which doesn't drip when held up.
Place into a plastic sweater box with no additional holes in it, and cook at 75 degrees for 100-110 days. Don’t turn- rotate- or add additional water once set.
I guess once you find the way that works for you, change is difficult, in fear of loosing a clutch. I have lost my fair share getting started and the learning curve has been steep to get to the point I am at. I do hope this helps on your quest and prevents heartache or two. My experience was one of lack of local knowledge and the lack of self-knowledge in snakes. The Eastern Indigo was my first clutch of eggs to ever have hatched and need less to say I have learned a tremendous amount since then. I do believe they will do their best to assist you along the way if you just take the time to look, listen, and observe.
Worst experience:
I floated 32 eggs the first year out after being told to mist daily and they were all nice hard boiled 3" snakes come July. I assure you the above information doesn't include this sort of advise, with friends like that you don't need many enemies.

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