Questions concerning mangrove snakes

[ToddBecker]

I am going to the Hamburg show this weekend and have been contemplating picking up a Boiga dendraphila i fhtey have any available. I have admired these snakes for years and have been thinking about getting one for awhile now. I have over 15 years experience with boids including some really unpleasant tree boas and am not worried about being ready for one. What I am asking is what is all your thoughts on a mangrove as a first "hot"(Iknow they are technically not hots). and other then a bad local reaction is there any known significant medical significance to their venom. Any info and posts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Todd

[TailsW/Scales]

I am going to the Hamburg show this weekend and have been contemplating picking up a Boiga dendraphila i fhtey have any available. I have admired these snakes for years and have been thinking about getting one for awhile now. I have over 15 years experience with boids including some really unpleasant tree boas and am not worried about being ready for one. What I am asking is what is all your thoughts on a mangrove as a first "hot"(Iknow they are technically not hots). and other then a bad local reaction is there any known significant medical significance to their venom. Any info and posts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Todd

Hi Todd,

Mangroves are just gorgeous but mercy they are a pain in the a$$ to care for. Such picky snakes. I think that would be the only issue if you got one not whether or not the snake would make a good first time hot. They're rear fanged and if you get bit yes there's localized swelling. I've also heard of redness and the site of the bite along with pain and "flu like" symptoms but nothing that'll kill you or would require antvenin. That is unless you're allergic to that form of venom.
Anyways.
These guys are almost solely arborial, need high humidity, and are picky eaters. It's also very tough for them to acclimate. If you get one then be sure its a very long term captive. Ask the seller for the snakes importation dates. Be cautious if they don't give it to you. Look the snake over extremely well before you buy it. I'm sure you normally would but be extra thorough with these guys. They show signs of unhealthyness easily. If it's anything but mean it's probably unhealthy.

Good luck

[Aaron_S]

All I know about mangroves is that usually they are quite pissed off.

[ToddBecker]

Thanks for the replies christine and aaron. I did pick one up and he great. He is a 5 month captive and has been de-bugged. Only physical problem is he is a little thin and has a very slight snub-tail. Maybe the last 1/8 inch. Other then thathe is perfect. Another person at the show looked him over for me after I bought him and said he was nice. He free-handled it and it was pretty tolerant of him. Struck at him once right before he put it up. O got him home and got his cage set up. He is in a 4' x 30" x 12" cage stood on its end so it is four feet tall. I put some braches and secured them with scres and added teh heat pad stuck to the inside wall and he seems to be doing pretty well so far. I am going to offer him a mouse in a day or two and see how that goes. I will take some pics later today after I get some vines and leaves to decorate teh cage with. Todd