Asian Vine Snake

[Derek1]

It's not high on my list of must haves but they are really cool looking. I noticed the are priced around $35 almost everywhere. I searched the forum here and did see much discussion about them. Are they a pain in the *** snake to keep or what is the back story on them? I figured they would be more popular. But as I am a rookie and they are not high on my wish list I guess I can see how they are not that popular. :D

[toddnbecka]

Far as I've gathered they only eat anoles or house geckos. Not a big deal if you're in FL and can get them for free, too expensive for me though.

[Derek1]

Mediterranean Geckos are taking over Texas. I'm covered up with them in N. TX. Wonder if those would work as a feed source? I haven't looked into the different species and/or they are different.

[toddnbecka]

I imagine they'd eat those as long as the size is right. Lizards are lizards as far as food for snakes.

[SSSSnakes]

They are a pain in the butt to keep.

[Zelg]

They are a pain in the butt to keep.



Could you elaborate a little on this? What is it that makes them difficult?

[SSSSnakes]

Could you elaborate a little on this? What is it that makes them difficult?

Mine were wild caught and they did not fare well. Also getting them to eat in captivity.

[Roman]

Here in Europe (almost) all Asian Vine snakes you get are WC. They are usually not in the best condition when they arrive here to begin with and carry a great amount of parasites. This coupled with the stress of transportation and dehydration during transport lead to a near total loss rate of these snakes within a few months.

Even if you get a stabilized snake it will not be long living if you can’t provide lizards as regular food. Even if you might convert it to mice they will die early, rodents are most probably to nutritious for them, so they die because of fatty liver.

IMO this is a snake which should only be kept by “experts” who have experience with establishing wild caught snakes in bad condition and who have access to lizards as a food source.

Two years ago a friend of mine got an Ahaetulla prasina when he still had his reptile shop here in Germany. A customer literally dumped the snake on his counter and left it with him. He feed it with young Anoles and it seemed quite healthy. He offered it to me for free just to get rid of it, but I don’t have a supply for it’s food, so I declined. As much as I know he found someone who was breeding green anoles so he was quite happy to get rid of his offspring. I don’t know if the snake is still alive.

If you are interested in something green, get yourself a CB red tailed green rat snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum), Barons racer (Philodryas baroni) or a rhino ratsnake (Rhynchophis boulengeri). All are available as CB on a regular basis, feed on rodents, are not too hard to keep and make excellent display snakes.

Roman

[Aaron_S]

Vine snakes come in wild caught. Usually do not adjust well to captivity and feeding can be a pain for most people. Cool species though. Rear-fanged.

[smy_749]

Jerry Conway has many of these for sale, captive bred. A few species as well, and he is not asking too much for them. You can find him on facebook. They are feeding on lizards as well though.