Rough Green Snake

[Solid Snake]

Hey i went to the pet shop today to get some fuzzy's then i noticed some of their new arrival reptiles. One of'em were the Rough green snake. I was really amazed on how stunning it looked on the branches and twigs.

Now i stand there and stare at the price, thinking if i should get it (80$). I have an extra 20 Gallon tank. Well i didnt want to be a quick buyer so i went home and researched on it a little.

Now i was wondering, do they musk at u like garters/kings/milks when they get threatened? I hate when snakes do this ARGH!!!

thx peeps

[SnowFoxx]

They don't but they really shouldn't be handled, either. They are for display, like frogs. I love my RG girl. She is fascinating to watch, and very active. She eats two large crickets every iother or third day, and spends all of her time in the many branches I have strung up through her cage. She'll need a larger tank than a 20 gallon as an adult to be happy. Give her the biggest tank possible - the more space you give her, the better. I plan to eventually make a 8x5x3 wall unit for mine. If you decide tyo get one, please feel free to PM or IM me for info, if you need it. GypsyDancer22@aol.com

- Victoria :w

[Solid Snake]

the snake only grows up to about 3 1/2... why do they need such big enclosures?

and why cant they be handled?

[NewLineReptile]

It was $80 WOW!! that is alot of money for a RGS i think i got my little guy for $30 at the april 6 show and the other one i got for around the same price last year i would look around before getting that one at $80
But they are a cool little snake good luck with him/her if you get it
:)

[SnowFoxx]

You shouldn't be paying more than $5-$10 USD for a RG. They can't be handled because they are just so easily stressed, and just don't tame down well at all. RGs are just about always wild-caught (you will probably never find a cb one, especially at a pet shop), and very delicate. It's best to just use them for display...why put them through so much just because you feel like handling them. It's not in the best interest of the snake.

As far as the space...I'd say a 30 gallon will do, if you must go that small. Other people will disagree with me, I'm sure, but RGs are *very* active snakes, and they will be much "happier" and healthier if they can constanly be cruising around a large cage. They will use every inch of space you give them. Besides, it's very cool to watch them hunt crickets and climb through the branches in a large cage!

- Victoria :w

[Vanan]

yoeun, most arboreal colubrids require lots of space. I do not know the reason why, but people who have successfully kept rare and fragile arboreal species, seem to have better success with a larger planted enclosure. Good luck!

[michael56]

Hello,
Though I'm as old as dirt, I'm new to this forum. I met a guy many years ago in Seattle that was breeding these beautiful snakes very successfully and his prices were up there too ($30) but they were'nt wild caught. As for housing, certainly the bigger the better. These snakes are'nt ambushers, they're active hunters! Now this is only personal but I provided a terrarium with as much height and horizontal space as I could. This really enhanced my "veiwing pleasure".
As for handling, I've seen some that were calm as kings. Mine was, how do I say it, intense! Very gentle but had places to go and things to see, always! Just don't set your heart on beleiving that it will curl up in your hand and stay there ...
Notwithstanding, a real nice snake.
Michael

[SnowFoxx]

Yeah, my "no handling" rule is pretty much because you can't find CB easily. Wild caught snakes will have a heart attack (not literaly) if you handle them too much. They aren't biters though, just spazzy! If I ever find a CB one of these guys, I'd pay whatever it cost...they are such cool little snakes! I might even breed them myself someday.

- Victoria :w