|
Post by joeysgreen on Nov 15, 2008 22:52:51 GMT -5
I just thought I'd share these guys on this forum as well Dendrelaphis formosusThey are both still pretty shy so they arn't the best quality, but either way, I don't think I have enough photographic talent to capture their true beauty. Here's the cage I wipped up for them. I was so enthralled with the idea of the new snakes that when I first made the canopy I forgot to add doors :cursing: I have two, one at 32grams and the other 16. It's really hard to get the blue that they seem to flash at will. These snakes don't just look completely different from anything else I've ever seen, but feel and behave the part as well. Their skin is like satin on a wirey body. They also wave their heads back and forth to get a 3d picture with those amazing eyes. Anyhow, all I can say is that they are pretty much undescribable. Here's one last picture Ian
|
|
|
Post by bluedragonbrown on Nov 16, 2008 10:50:01 GMT -5
Wow awsome snakes.
|
|
|
Post by deborah on Dec 5, 2008 14:18:19 GMT -5
Those are so incredible! I really love tree snakes but the husbandry has scared me off, I have heard that they can be rather finicky. DJ
|
|
lisa
Contributing Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by lisa on Dec 12, 2008 9:39:47 GMT -5
I've never seen the like! They are amazing! What else can you tell us about these beautiful creatures?
|
|
|
Post by joeysgreen on Dec 30, 2008 22:34:51 GMT -5
Whew, I could go on for days in the experiences I've had in this short time. The smaller one (the one with the smaller eyes) has since died . Keyed out to be a blue bronzeback. Finicky is the word. I've added finch nests, and altered the vegetation a bit to try and perfect things but the elegant is looking thin too. I'm trying a frozen thawed lizard tonight as I'm not sure he has the energy to go chase the lizards in the canopy. Right now, my biggest problem is not knowing what temperatures to keep them at. Knowledge of Malaysia begs me to keep them at a temp range of low 70-s to a basking spot of 85F. I've recently stopped using the basking spot because the elegant is consistently sleeping on the cooler cage floor. Now my range is only 71-76F. Humidity is super important, as well as secrecy. This much I can be sure of. These guys are also leaf suckers, though a water dish is occasionlly used, they don't seek it out if thirsty. Spraying once to twice daily is essential, even with humidity. They enjoy a light raining system if possible. I've had drainage problems so I can't use mine to much without drowning the substrate. I have some pretty amazing closeup shots of the scalation, I'll be sure to post once I get them online. When pissed off, they flare an electric blue skin that otherwise hides behind the still impressive scales. Here's some recent pic's Ian
|
|
|
Post by vanderkm on Jan 1, 2009 21:34:09 GMT -5
Sorry to hear you lost one and that the other doesn't seem to be doing well. Challenges with some of the lesser known species - but they sure are pretty little things,
mary v.
|
|
|
Post by joeysgreen on Jan 2, 2009 14:51:04 GMT -5
Unfortunately the second one died shortly before 2009 began. He is now preserved for future study. On the upside, I have a whole book full of notes to rely on in the future. With much thought, there are a few things I can work on. I plan to expand my setup and try again with a larger group, hopefully sometime this year. I feel somewhat responsible for taking on this species now that I have begun it. I think that way those animals havn't died in vain; Even though this will never be a popular pet species, future enthusiasts hopefully won't need to go the the WC route.
Ian
|
|
|
Post by bear24 on Jan 5, 2009 11:54:11 GMT -5
Sorry about the loss. I think it goes with the hobby, and the location. What a beauty those were, I hope you have a better go of them next time. What things do you think you would change next time around? the cage looks well thought out what were its drawbacks? Could you post some of your notes about them, I would love to vicariously keep them for awhile.
|
|
|
Post by joeysgreen on Jan 6, 2009 14:32:49 GMT -5
I think I have the requirements down 90%, but obviously the next 10% is essential. Things I"ll try prior to next time 1. The setup was still virgin. The plants were new, the habitat wasn't cycled ect. I've since added a few earthworms, and will add some sow bugs as well to liven up the earth. The ground level foilage needs to be a more permanent picture and not something that grows, then dies in a week. This seemed essential to maintain the proper humidity gradient.
2. The snake's behavior seemed to really favor a gentle rain, with big fat drops as opposed to a fine mist or anything produced from an atomizer. The current cage lacked a drainage plug, so the rain barrell could only be used until the water table rose to a certain point. The larger plants then needed to suck it down prior to it's use again. I have a pump that will fix this drainage problem with a few modifications. In the future, the rain chamber will be used 100%.
3. While avoiding stress is paramount to such a finicky species, I think it's worthwhile to include weekly, minimal handling sessions. This will allow me a better idea on their level of lethargy and body condition.
As far as the notes goes, it's kind of mundane. Added a water dish here, found an uneaten gecko there, Snake #1 slept here ect.
Ian
|
|