WELCOME TO THE MANGROVE SNAKE WORLD!
(Medium Level care, mildly venomous rear-fanged snake)
On this page, we will go over the care of your Mangrove Snake! I have owned reptiles since I was six years old and have had a deep fascination with reptiles. I have had years of researching, reptile-common-sense, and experience to debunk the false care info and put together a care sheet to meet your reptile’s needs and enrich their lives.
Amazon list:
- Thermostat with probe is essential to regulate the correct temperatures.
- Dual Lamp to be able to provide a light bulb or UVB for enrichment and Heat bulb.
- Depending on cage size the heat bulb wattage can vary, your options are 25w, 40w, 60w, or 100w. The thermostat will protect the reptile from burning, but if you purchase a weak bulb you wont be able to heat the enclosure properly.
- Digital Thermostat and Hygrometer to monitor.
- Variety of substrates are available, but we recommend soil and/or bark.
- A water bowl that allows them to be able to lay in it.
- Hides and décor for the reptiles comfort.
- Here’s a starter enclosure for a baby, but if you are looking for something different there are these.
- Tongs for tong feeding.
What to consider before purchasing a new buddy:
Additional Info:
Boiga dendrophila
Boiga dendrophila gemmicincta
This species and sub-species are relatively similar. What differentiates the gemmicinta (Sulawesi Mangrove Snake, Rainbow Mangrove Snake) is that when they get older, they turn completely black. Boiga dendrophila is also known as Mangrove Cat Snake, Gold-ringed Cat Snake, and Yellow-Ringed Cat Snake. These snakes can reach up to 8ft and are semi-arboreal. They tend not to tame down naturally, but good practice in handling these snakes can tame them down to a degree. Of course, some of them are naturally chill.
Enclosure:
Babies can live in an 18in x 18in x 24in the enclosure. Moving them to an adult enclosure after the baby enclosure would be economical. Adult enclosure minimum is 4ft. long, 2ft. wide, and two ft. tall. They appreciate climbing options and a water bowl big enough to soak in.
Substrate(Flooring):
Organic topsoil and coco fiber mix do well in keeping humidity. Refrain from using repti-bark if you do not want their water dyed. You can replace the organic topsoil with cypress mulch.
Décor:
Have a water bowl on the cold side (reduces bacteria), and you can put a hide on the hot and cold side. Please make sure the water bowl is big enough for them to soak. Refrain from cardboard. It molds super fast! Other decors like fake plants, vines draping, or natural plants will help the reptile feel secure. They love to climb, and it is required in their care to give them climbing options.
Humidity & Temps:
75% Humidity for both
Sulawesi:75 degrees at night, 93 degrees basking, and 78 cool side and 85 ambient temperature
Mangrove: 86-88 warm side, high 70s cool side
Always have a basking light on a thermostat; snake burns are extremely painful to the snake & expensive to treat. UVB is an excellent addition to keeping your snake healthy. Heating pads are not efficient for heating such a large species of snake.
Handling:
This species can be handled, but it is suggested not to since they tend to strike a lot. As stated above, they can be tamed, but it isn’t expected. If they envenomate, you will feel swelling and pain. Rear-fanged has to chew to give venom, so remove snake bites by spraying water on their face or putting them under cold sink water. If they still do not release, pour some alcohol into their mouth; this is the last resort. It normally doesn’t have to get to that point. Do not handle it 48 hours after their meal so they can digest 🙂
Feeding:
Feeding depends on how your snake weight is going, but here is a basic chart to go by:
Adult Mangroves can eat mammals or small rodents, fish, eggs, bats, frogs, reptiles, or snakes.
Baby Mangroves can eat small lizards, frogs, or even slugs.
Their favorite meal is birds, though.
- Hatchlings (under a year) should be fed once every seven days.
- Juveniles (over a year) should be fed once every seven days.
- Adults (about two years old) should be fed once every 10-14 days
Pick mice/rats by the width of your snake’s stomach. It can be more significant than the thickest part of your snake’s body!
Up the meal size or frequency of your snake is skinny (feel ribs), but this chart I go by should keep your boa constrictor healthy. Lower the meal size if your snake is getting hefty (white skin between their scales)
Cleaning:
Please clean your snake’s poops & pees once you see them; they can get sick if you don’t! Every six months, deep clean & replace the substrate.