Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Drymarchon32]

Hi all,
just a question more out of curiosity than anything else, has anyone kept or keep Ahaetulla species, Leptophis or Langaha. I find them fascinating, beautiful snakes but wonder what the success rate is like in captivity.
A little beauty I found in Sri Lanka.

Al
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Complacency killed the keeper

[JStroud]

Absolutely fascinating snakes I've kept Leptophis before in the past and being primarily diurnal were absolutely a joy to keep, unfortunately I had limited success with them...my ones were particularly difficult to switch over from anoles, but watching their feeding behaviour was amazing.

The Ahaetulla a few people have kept with success, I believe there has been some captive hatching and quite a good chance of switching to feed defrost. I've never seen Langaha being kept in the UK but thats not to say it hasn't happened! I'm sure they are kept on the continent, your best bet for finding all three would be at Hamm (as always!).

Do you have any other photos from your trip to Sri Lanka?

Heres one of one of my L. mexicana...
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Regards James Stroud

[Drymarchon32]

I think I will be going to Hamm this year, will be my first time, not necessarily to buy anything but certainly to have a look at what's available.

Since you asked, here are a few photos of Sri Lanka. Sry about the image quality, they are scanned slides.
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Complacency killed the keeper

[JStroud]

Great shots! Did you see any Naja?
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Regards James Stroud

[Drymarchon32]

And a couple more.

Love your mexicana, plenty of fight I take it.

A
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Complacency killed the keeper

[Drymarchon32]

No Naja I'm afraid, couldn't really herp like I wanted to, GF in tow, and there are still a few mines scattered around in the North, but saw plenty of herps in the 3 weeks I was there.
Very nice people and amazingly beautiful place, but it has been ravaged by agriculture and something like 7% of the original rainforest remains. Its all tea.
Lets hope the current troubles don't get too out of hand, I would love to go back one day.

Al
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Complacency killed the keeper

[JStroud]

More nice pictures! I wouldn't really say it had a lot of fight, would always prefer to retreat but was very happy to get defensive and bluff strike, very rarely would it actually bite though
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Regards James Stroud

[coachwhip]

I currently have Ahaetulla. They aren't too bad to keep so far.

I did have a female Langaha, she was feeding for a while then went off her food, Eventually I had to start assist feeding her. I was using Hill's A/D for tube feeding as recommended by a vet, but I've since found out that the high levels of purine in it can cause kidney problems. I'm not sure if it was this that finally finished her off or just that I left it too late before assist feeding. But she was being tube fed for a while.

An absolutely stunning species though, if tiny. I'd love to get hold of some in good condition. some people have had success in converting them to rodents but generally they will only accept lizards. It was fascinating to watch her hunt, or indeed even to try to locate her in the viv.



Mike

[Drymarchon32]

Which species of Ahaetulla do you have or do you have Leptophis ahaetulla?

I've knew someone with Langaha but they didn't do well. They sound like a tricky species to keep but would love to hear more.

Al
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Complacency killed the keeper

[coachwhip]

It's prasina that I have



The Langaha are very very interesting, I certainly want at least a pair, if not more. But I need to sort out a proper tube feed diet just in case and other things. I will certainly be looking at getting some in the next couple of years. Not dear snakes to buy at all, there were loads on the lists 6 months ago.

Mike

P.S If you like arboreal snakes, check this out.