Looking for Xenodon rabdocephalus

RandyRhoads · 01-08-14, 11:48 AM

Anyone know where I might be able to locate one? Interested in possibly getting one, but I want to see if there's even a chance of locating one before I dig any deeper.

Will0W783 · 01-14-14, 10:14 AM

Aren't they a species of Chinese false cobra? I spent several years looking for a similar species, Pseudoxenodon macrops, but to no avail. I would say your best bet is to keep an eye out on Fauna and Kingsnake.

dbank999 · 01-14-14, 10:55 AM

They are a false fer de lance... and I have never seen any available, but I also have never looked for them either.

Do you know anything about the toxicity of their venom? Is it more like a false water cobras or is it more serious like that of the actual fer de lance?

RandyRhoads · 01-14-14, 11:38 AM

I don't know too much about them. I wanted to see if there was even a slight chance of finding a captive bred one before I start looking at housing requirements and such. Obviously from it's native habitat you can get an idea of what it needs, but I have no idea about how hard it is to house them. If no ones heard of it i'm sure if one was available it would probably be pretty expensive....

I read a field herping report of a guy just picking it up and getting bitten, it didn't sound like it was much of a concern to him. I found this, which basically says no effects.
WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources

dbank999 · 01-14-14, 03:07 PM

I can't find any information regarding anyone working with them in captivity..

Although I did find an old thread on this forum where a member from Hong Kong claimed to have a false viper (Macropisthodon Rudis)... unfortunately that user hasn't been active since 2005. And it isn't the same species, but similar..

Angus Lee was the username.

Would be interesting to see come into the trade, definitely something unique to add to a collection and work with, without any real threat of a fatal envenomation.