Maintenance Ahaetulla prasina

[Thomas.L]

Hello,

I have just acquired a male Ahaetulla prasina wild. I have it since 1 month. Unfortunately I have little information on the exact maintenance of this very fragile species. I could see that several among possess of it to you.
I will like to have some information on your way to make and your parameters for this snake.

Thank you
Cordially, Thomas

[JD@reptiles]

FEEDING

Asian Vine Snakes eat lizards in captivity, anoles or house geckos. I use house geckos because they have a weaker bite, which means less of a chance of your snake getting injured during feeding time. People ask me if it is ok to feed your vine snake pinkies. It's fine. They are a little fatty for them but they seem to be able to handle it. It takes a lot of time to switch your vine snake over to rodents.

HOUSING

Vine snakes are happy in a 20 gallon to a 200 gallon tank. They have to have lots of branches and a few hide boxes. For hide boxes I use broken flower pots or just "Cocohuts". Asian vine snakes need a Warm spot of 90-95 oF and a cool spot of 80-85 oF. Humidity has to be at 80-95%. Most vine snakes drink drips of water and drink water that’s moving. A fountain in their cage will work and look nice too. Asian vine snakes also need UV lights. A good substrate for a cage is "Eco Earth", Aspen or even paper towels.

HANDLING

I do not recommend you handle Asian vine snakes with your bare hands. I suggest you use gloves or hooks. I use hooks because that’s what I'm used to. You can order hooks online or pick some up at a reptile expo. If you would like to use gloves, garden gloves work. Asian vine snakes have mild venom which causes pain, swelling, head ache and nausea. Pain and swelling can last a few days to a couple weeks. Head ache and nausea go away with in a day or two

LIFE SPAN

Vine snakes can live 7-10+ years in captivity with proper care. I have had my vines for several years.

DIFFICULTY RATING

This snake is not for beginners. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time to take care of Asian vine snakes properly. They are also not for beginners because they are rear fanged and venomous. They are a great snake if you want to get into venomous snakes.

BREEDING

I am still trying to figure out the right temps for breeding Asian vine snakes. Once I find out how to breed them it will be posted here immediately. If you know the proper temperatures please let me know.

PROBLEMS & TREATING FOR PARASITES

Asian vine snakes are known for coming in with worms, mites and colds. Treating for worms: you can go to your local supplier of reptiles and get a medicine called "Deworm". There are instructions on the bottle and you will see how easy it is to use. Treating for mites: Mites are one of the biggest problems in collections around the globe. They are like little ticks and they come out of no where. The best way to treat for mites of Asian vine snakes is to, get golden Listerine or (Original). Mix it 1 cup a gallon. It doesn't have to be exact. Let the snake soak for 10-20 minutes in the warm water. After you take it out, clean its whole cage out. Bake branches, rocks and water dish in oven at 125 oF. Let bake for 30 - 45 minutes. Keep snake on paper towels for 6-8 weeks (Branches and rocks can go back with the snake). Treating for colds: as long as you go by my required temperatures and humidity levels, you will have no problems with colds.

From: http://hometown.aol.com/_ht_a/asianvinesnake/

Regards

Jordan

[Mustangrde1]

Jordan great post and great care sheet.

Breeding temps appear to be 83 to 88 whith a humidity of between 65% to 80% gestation on mine was 63 days from initial copulation. I have only breed them once so far. One thing get the male out of the cage immidiately my female killed the male once he was done . I am not sure if this is common but not wourth loosing a good male.

Scott

[Thomas.L]

Thank you,
Did one tell me several times not to maintain them too hot (maximum 80°F)??
Personally, my parameters are: 78-82°F and two to three pulverizations of tepid water per day.
On the other hand I find bizarre that it nearly spends all its time to soil whereas it possesses the branches and foliages. (the terrarium is heated by the partitions vertical of the bottom).
What can you counsel me to modify my parameters? I think that I am going to increase my temperature to 80-90.
Do you use a specific lighting (uv)?

JD, I could see that one of your young had eaten fish. Summers of the living fish because I would like to tempt the experience (are the lizards very expensive at home)?

Cordially Thomas.

[JD@reptiles]

thats great Mustangrde1. i will post that on my site if thats ok with you and give you credit. sorry to hear about that boy dieing.

lizards are cheap as long as you can get them whole sale...

Heres the pic for Thomas http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/509/562DSC00072-med.JPG

[Mustangrde1]

Jordan you can use it with no problem. its only so far a 1 time breed. hopfully someone has beeter results and info.although from imports that i have seen come in gravid its normally late spring to early summer.

[Thomas.L]

Thank you for the picture.
At home (in Belgium) the lizards remain relatively expensive. But I am going to try with the frog that I would know how to have maybe for less dear.
Cordially Thomas