Species: Red tailed green rat snake

Red tailed green rat snakes:

Gonyosoma oxycephalum, mangrove rattlesnake or red tailed rattlesnake, is a very beautiful Asian snake from the Colubridae’s family. His scientifc name is due to the shape of his elongated head. We can find them in Southeast Asia (Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Java, Borneo…). Bigger ones can measure between 1m60 to 2m40, and weigh 1kg400 for a female. In captivity, they can live 14 years.

This snake lives in tropical forests and mangroves, near water. He lives in branches and also on the ground when he is hunting. His coloration differs according to the range, and there is a green form and a gray one. The head can be green or yellow, the tongue is blue and we can find blue refections on his body. When this snake fells danger, he sweeps her tongue up and down, inflates his throat and body to look more agressive.

Captivity’s conditions:

iIf they are born in captivity, it is better because into the wild they can have health issues, do not hesitate to take your snake to the vet for a control visit. Captuve’s specimen are rare. 

In captivity, a terrarium of 100x50x100, and they need branches, water bowl and a hot spot at 29 and at night around 20 to 25 degrees.

According to Reptiligne, a famous shop in France, 50% hygrometry is more than enough, because in captivity tropical snakes do not support the high humidity of an enclosed environment. On the other hand, these snakes drink a lot so you must either leave them a fresh water bowl or spray them once a day if your snake is not accustomed to drinking.

Feeding:

In Asia, they eat rodents, eggs, birds, little reptiles, but in captivity they accept rodents. Unlike many snakes, they digests very quickly, in 3 or 4 days.

Reproduction:

Females can lay 3 to 8 eggs, 4 times a year. Young snakes are born after 87 days of incubation, at 29 degrees and measure 45cm at birth. Reproduction in captivity is rare, and this snake is quite lively. You have to accustomed your snake to you.