The family Xenodermus includes the dragon snake. Although this gorgeous specimen is a timid and harmless snake, many people are afraid of it because of the way it appears.
It is also known by a number of other names in various places. For instance, it is also referred to as the rough-backed litter snake or the Javan tubercle snake.
The dragon snake is a rare species that few people keep because they find it difficult to raise it in captivity. The dragon snake, as you would have inferred from its name, displays distinct dragon-like characteristics.
It is a nocturnal frog-eating snake, which accounts for why it prefers to dwell on the forest floor.
The dragon snake only produces four eggs a year, as it is not a particularly active breeder. It can be found in the dense forests of Thailand, Indonesia, and Burma, where it is native.
Overview
The dragon snake is regarded by the majority of people as the pinnacle of rare reptile species. However, there is a lot of inaccurate information out there about the species.
Therefore, the majority of people decide not to keep them. Contrary to popular perception, several successful breeders have figured out how to properly care for dragon snakes, dispelling the myth that they are impossible to preserve.
The higher altitude areas of Southeast Asia are where you may mostly find the dragon snake, a non-venomous colubrid snake. It is a semi-fossorial species that primarily lives underground.
These snakes typically hunt at night. Since small frogs and fish make up the majority of the dragon snake’s diet, you’ll probably find them near bodies of water or streams.
The dragon snake can grow to be between 24 and 30 inches long. This snake is relatively uncommon in the pet trade since it typically does not flourish in captivity.
It is a very demanding species that needs extremely strict circumstances to survive. This snake’s dislike of heavy handling is another factor contributing to its unpopularity.
When handled, the snake will typically go rigid rather than bite.
At least to the handler, this might not sound all that dangerous. However, constant handling will exhaust the snake and make it begin to refuse food.
Several people have successfully nurtured and bred this snake despite how challenging it may seem to do so.
Care Manual
Due to the fact that dragon snakes are not frequently kept as pets, there are several gaps in their care. The same thing applies to constructing their environment inside of their enclosure.
The selection of substrate is one of the most crucial aspects to take into account while working with dragon snakes. It is recommended to choose a substrate like sphagnum moss for better results.
This is a great option because it holds moisture without becoming overly wet.
The snake could become very ill if there is a buildup of mold on the substrate. Due to the fact that dragon snakes are exclusively nocturnal, you should offer them a secure, dark area to hide during the day.
You can look at the many reptile hides for this. Plastic is typically used to make them because it is mold-resistant and is simple to clean.
Climate & Lighting
Things start to seem a little strange at this point. Dragon snakes don’t need a hot place in their enclosures, unlike the majority of snake species. Too much heat won’t be tolerated at all by this snake.
You must try to maintain the enclosure between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. In contrast, various pet snakes require different maintenance procedures.
A trustworthy thermometer should be kept nearby so you may check the temperature within the enclosure. The dragon snake will perish if left outside in temperatures over 80 degrees for more than an hour.
Humidity
It is recommended to keep the enclosure’s humidity level high in order to keep your dragon snake content and healthy. It’s best to maintain your snake’s environment at a humidity level between 85 and 95 percent if you want it to grow.
This level of humidity is really high. As a result, you’ll need to create a suitable habitat to keep it. You must select the appropriate substrate for this reason as well.
Selecting the ideal substrate will also help maintain the necessary amount of moisture needed to maintain constant humidity levels.
You can mist the enclosure a few times each day to keep it from drying out.
More: The Prairie Kingsnake: Care Guide and Species Profile
Water
A steady supply of fresh, clean water must always be maintained in the enclosure housing the dragon snake.
These snakes adore taking baths and drinking from water. As a result, you must make sure that the water space you give is large enough for the snake to curl up in.
A plastic bowl is employed by some. A water container can, however, also be made out of stone.
Whatever the material you decide upon, it is crucial to keep the water area spotlessly clean.
Replace the water often and remove the bowl once a week for cleaning. The snake will be exposed to bacteria and sickness if the water is left in the bowl for an extended period of time.
Feeding
A dragon snake will be easy to feed once it has settled in nicely. These snakes typically eat tadpoles, frogs, and tiny fish in their natural habitat.
Most owners of dragon snakes feed them mosquito fish, tadpoles, and adults of tree frogs. Online vendors provide these fish and frogs in varied quantities. You can even inquire at your neighborhood fish market.
It is best to feed larger treefrog tadpoles to smaller snakes when feeding them. Additionally, you can feed it little feeder fish.
Every five days, you should add three to five tadpoles or one fish to the water bowl.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to maintain the water bowl as shallow as you can, leaving just enough space for the tadpoles and fish to swim.
You run the risk of the fish jumping out if the bowl is too deep.
The dragon snakes don’t make any preferences when they eat fish. This implies that any fish species may be fed.
However, you should refrain from feeding fish with a lot of thiaminase.
Thiamine, which the snake must metabolize in order to function and grow, is broken down by this enzyme. Moth fish, guppies, and platies are a few of the species that are regarded as safe.
These fish species contain only a little amount of thiaminase.
You must understand that the snake finds it a little challenging to chase mature tree frogs. These frogs typically rest where the lid and bin meet at the top of the enclosure.
Given that the dragon snake prefers to remain inside the boundaries of its hide or even under the substrate, it is challenging for it to consume this frog.
The fact that dragon snakes are voracious eaters is another significant consideration. Therefore, you must restrict how much they eat in order to prevent overheating and regurgitation.
However, if you adhere to these general feeding recommendations, you will have a long relationship with your dragon snake.
See more: Eyelash Viper Care Guide & Species Profil
Health and Lifespan Concerns
The exact lifespan of dragon snakes in the wild is unknown. However, individuals with experience keeping them in captivity have occasionally cared for them for seven years.
There are three basic life stages for dragon snakes:
Hatchlings
The female dragon snake will often only produce two to four eggs a year. The young snakes that emerge from these eggs will spend some time hiding inside the snake’s nest. When they are old enough, they will start venturing outside the nest in search of food.
Juveniles
The distinctive colors and traits of the adult dragon snakes will start to appear in the younger dragon snakes after a year. These young snakes seek ceaselessly on the forest floor because they have a voracious appetite.
Adults
Dragon snake adults only emerge at night. They go out to hunt and eat at night. Additionally, they stay on the forest floor where they forage for frogs, one of their preferred prey species.
These snakes will begin to reproduce when mating season arrives. The dragon snake lays its eggs between the months of October and February, which is the rainy season.
Health Issues
The potential parasite burden of dragon snakes is the main area of worry when it comes to care. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure that all snakes receive internal parasite treatment within seven days after being acquired.
Fortunately, if external parasites are present on the snakes, they are easy to find. External parasites can also be managed rather easily. Internal parasites, on the other hand, can be a real problem.
Many novice keepers advise taking the snakes to a veterinarian for a thorough checkup. When bringing the snakes to the vet, you must, however, take care that they are not overly anxious.
In some cases, subjecting them to excessive stress might be a significant factor in their decline and eventual death.
Stress and dragon snakes
Dragon snakes struggle to cope with stress. At all costs, it is best to avoid stressing them out. In order to avoid taking your dragon snakes to the vet too frequently, you should also take the time to research the usual issues that they encounter.
Therefore, it would be great if you could examine your dragon snake and spot any potential problems.
In addition, you need to make sure you have a strong rapport with your vet so you can ask for advice on how to treat the snake without stressing it out.
With the aid of a veterinarian or via telemedicine, the majority of knowledgeable keepers are able to treat all snakes for parasites.
By understanding this, you’ll be able to deal with the snake’s issues without having to subject it to the stress of lengthy journeys and physical examination.
Typical Health Issues
According to research, dragon snakes are particularly prone to skin irritations brought on by a dirty and moldy habitat.
To ensure the long-term health of the snake, you must maintain a clean enclosure. Obesity and a heightened sensitivity to heat are two additional prevalent issues.
The major challenge in keeping your dragon snake healthy is learning the fundamentals of upkeep. You need to develop the ability to recognize both symptoms that your snake is ill and those that indicate that it is healthy.
If you feed your snake appropriately and periodically clean its cage, it will probably remain healthy. Please keep in mind that a healthy snake will have stunning, clear eyes, a nose, and a mouth when looking for symptoms of disease.
Moreover, they are energetic and vigilant. Additionally, you should be aware that well-fed snakes have a lovely round physique, healthy skin, and frequent feeding habits.
There are a number of traits that could point to your snake’s illness. Some of the symptoms that your snake may be unwell include the following:
- Rough skin on the face
- Lethargy
- discharge coming from the mouth or nose
- unusually lowering
- reduced appetite,
- To find out what might be wrong with your pet, you must call your vet as soon as you see any of these symptoms or signs.
Some of the most typical issues with dragon snakes include the following:
Constipation: Failure to urinate for numerous days or weeks could be a sign that something is amiss.
Internal parasites are frequent, particularly if the dragon snake originated in the wild. A snake with an internal parasite issue typically exhibits regurgitation, decreased appetite, and a generally exhausted demeanor.
Regurgitation is frequently brought on by stress, overeating, or vigorous handling. After your snake has eaten, you shouldn’t handle it.
There are a number of skin disorders that affect dragon snakes. These consist of wounds, abscesses, blisters, and blisters. In addition to these problems, mites and ticks can harm dragon snakes. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if you observe any of these issues.
Respiratory problems: Lethargy, coughing, and wheezing with the mouth open are signs of respiratory problems.
Behavior
Knowing a dragon snake’s many behaviors will help you better care for it if you already own one or intend to get one. The following are some of the dragon snake’s typical behaviors:
Can remain motionless like wood
This snake can grow stiff as wood when you pick it up. If they are anxious or terrified, they frequently act in this way.
This stiffening is assumed to be one of the snake’s protection systems. The snake will eventually get over its fear after becoming accustomed to handling.
Timid snake
Dragon snakes are quite timid. The solution to this is routine handling. You should not handle these snakes too much either, as they are also easily stressed.
Sleeping Patterns
Dragon snakes are active at night. As a result, they typically work at night. The snake may occasionally only emerge at night to feed before returning to hiding throughout the day.
To allow your snake to sleep throughout the day, it is best to place its tank in a very silent environment.
Water
Dragon snakes enjoy consuming water straight from a dish. But they may also lick it off of plants. A water bowl must be added to the snake’s enclosure in order to maintain humidity in its environment.
The snake can shed more easily when there is enough dampness.
Temperament
Dragon snakes are not particularly vicious. When they perceive a threat, their most frequent response is to straighten up their bodies.
Safety
snakes with wings are safe to handle since they lack venom. Although they occasionally bite, they don’t act aggressively too often. However, it is advised to handle the snake slowly to avoid getting bitten.
Price/Cost
Online, a single dragon snake costs, on average, $300. They don’t cost a much to keep. You won’t have to spend a lot of money keeping them if you feed them appropriately.
Facts
Snakes called dragons have no poison. Although these snakes may seem frightening, they are actually very timid, and when threatened, they merely stiffen up.
Dragon snakes consume frogs, tadpoles, feeder fish, and other creatures with a voracious appetite.
Dragon snakes should not be collected from the wild. Dragon snakes in the wild may carry harmful parasites. In addition, there is a good probability that a dragon snake you choose from the wild won’t make it through captivity.
Southeast Asia is home to dragon snakes. Typically, they can be found in Borneo, Java, and Myanmar.
Dragon snakes are active at night. In the wild, they often emerge at night and prefer to spend the day beneath.
Although a dragon snake’s skin appears tough, it is completely painless.
Dragon snakes become stiff when they sense danger or fear.
Despite their rarity, dragon snakes are not considered an endangered species of snake.
Summary
Although they can be a little challenging to maintain, dragon snakes are a fascinating species.
It is advised that anyone considering keeping snakes as pets conduct extensive research and learn proper care.
They are very easily stressed, and once stressed, they may not want to eat.
They must be kept in extremely humid environments, and their major diets consist of frogs and fish.
Additionally, dragon snakes are not extremely heat-tolerant. They will perish if kept in a heated atmosphere.
