The Taiwan beauty snake is a stunning snake with a yellow background and an olive-brown splotchy pattern. From its eyes to its mouth, there are several recognizable dark lines.
While beauty snakes are common throughout Asia, Taiwan beauty snakes are unique to Taiwan, hence the name.
These snakes can be a little shy and Temperamental, but their care requirements are generally conventional. They are most suitable for people with Intermediate snake ownership and Handling expertise due to their temperament.
Overview of Taiwan Beauty Snake
| Common name | Taiwan Beauty Snake |
| Scientific name | Orthriophis taeniura friesei |
| Natural habitat | This subspecies of beauty snake is naturally found only in Taiwan. They occasionally reside in caverns and enjoy rainforests. |
| Adult size | 4 ft – 8.5 ft (females are bigger than males) |
| Average lifespan | 10-15 years in the wild, 15-25 years in captivity |
| Diet | Rats and other rodents. |
| Housing | 4ft x 2ft x 3ft. require additional height to climb tree branches. |
| Experience | Intermediate |
Origin
Taiwan is the birthplace of the Taiwan beauty snake (Orthriophis taeniura friesei). Although they can survive in a variety of settings, they mainly choose tropical woods, open fields, and waterside locations.
The Taiwan beauty snake spends a significant portion of its life in tree branches since it is semi-arboreal.
They come into contact with these snakes more frequently as humans encroach on natural areas. Particularly on construction sites, this is true.
The rodents that reside in and around building sites attract snakes to this area.
If you want a calm pet snake, you must purchase a Taiwan beauty from a breeder.
Snakes that are caught in the wild are frequently hostile and adapt poorly to captivity.
These snakes are regarded as vulnerable in Taiwan and most of Asia in terms of conservation status.
But they are regarded as an invasive species in some areas of Japan.
Manifestation and conduct
A yellow-colored snake with a thin body, the Taiwan beauty snake. It has multiple darker brown splotches all over its body.
Two pairs of circular black spots form what seems to be a tail stripe on the back.
The eye pattern of the Taiwan beauty snake is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. From the back of their eye to their mouth, they have a black stripe.
Cathemeral creatures include the Taiwan beauty snake. The majority of animals either have nocturnal (active at night) or diurnal (active during the day) behaviors.
But cathemeral creatures can be active at any time of day or night. They don’t have a 12-hour sleep-wake cycle; instead, they frequently take short naps to refuel.
Size and Duration
The lifespan of a Taiwan beauty snake is 15 to 25 years. One of these snakes as a pet requires a strong, long-term commitment. These snakes can live incredibly long and contented lives if given the right care.
The typical Taiwan beauty reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet. The average height of females is 7 to 8 feet.
Remember that these snakes have been known to grow up to 8.5 feet long. The Taiwan beauty is longer and leaner than the majority of beauty rat snakes.
Temperament
The aggressiveness of wild-caught Taiwan beautiful snakes is possible. They frequently attack their enclosure, but they also occasionally attack people.
The Taiwan beauty snake is not an inherently aggressive snake, despite this. It only acts aggressively because it has trouble adjusting to life in captivity.
In contrast, snakes raised in captivity are not aggressive; instead, they are rather timid. They are inappropriate as beginner-friendly pet snakes because of their mentality.
To form a bond with your snake, you will have to put in a lot of effort.
Taiwan beauty snakes can live together, however a large enclosure is required. Although they aren’t extremely violent or territorial, most owners still house them separately.
This makes handling and Cleaning the snakes simpler.
Due to their reclusive nature, these snakes aren’t the simplest to handle. They are not likely to bite their owners despite their timidity.
The Taiwan beauty, despite not being poisonous, still has a terrible bite.
The Taiwan Beauty Snake’s residence
The Taiwan Beauty snake thrives in warmer climates.
A wooden vivarium is a fantastic choice of enclosure if you live in a cold climate because it is better at retaining heat. However, there is nothing wrong with a typical snake terrarium if you reside in a temperate climate.
Rat snakes have a subtype known as Taiwan beauty snakes. One of the most common snake species kept as pets in the United States is the rat snake.
They are so well-liked because they are easy to house and make terrific pets if properly cared for.
Embedded Size
The climbing habits of Taiwan beauty snakes necessitate high enclosures. A 4 foot by 2 foot by 3 foot enclosure is the right size for an adult snake.
The Taiwan beauty needs considerable room to move around because it is a huge, active snake.
These snakes in particular need tall enclosures due to their inclination to climb.
Your cage needs to be big enough to accommodate climbing branches and perches that are elevated for them to rest on.
Lighting
Even though these snakes are cathemeral, it is a good idea to keep the enclosure lighting on a natural cycle. They are able to have a sleep-wake cycle as a result that is similar to what they would have in the wild.
Keep the lights on for 12 hours every day to aid in this, giving your snake plenty of opportunity to bask.
Put the light source inside your enclosure on the warm side. Make sure the temperature doesn’t rise above the recommended ranges.
To be sure you’re obtaining an accurate reading of the temperature in your enclosure, use a thermometer.
The Taiwan beauty does not require specialized UVB illumination, unlike many other reptiles and snakes.
Heat Index and Humidity
These snakes require a rather high ambient temperature in their enclosure because they are Asian in origin. You must make sure that the enclosure is kept cool on one side and warm on the other, just like with other snakes.
The warmer side of the enclosure should be between 85°F and 90°F for Taiwan beauty snakes. You can use a basking lamp or heating pad to assist you maintain this temperature. It is imperative that this be placed on one side of the enclosure rather than in the center.
To control its body temperature, your snake can wander between the warmer and cooler regions of the habitat. It uses outside heat sources to control its body temperature because it is a cold-blooded species.
You should keep the temperature on the cooler side of the cage between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You spend money on thermometers made for snake enclosures to keep an eye on this. You should never hazard a guess as to the enclosure’s temperature because heat exhaustion is a genuine problem for snakes.
The cage should be cooler at night, between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This colder temperature mimics a setting more akin to life in the wild.
Using a hygrometer, you may determine the humidity level that Taiwan beauty snakes require, which is between 50 and 60%.
You can spritz the cage every day to keep it properly moist if your humidity is too low. Use a smaller water bowl or improve ventilation if your humidity is too high.
Taiwan beauty snakes require substantially greater humidity levels to aid in the shedding process. They need between 70 and 80 percent humidity when shedding in order to shed more quickly.
Your snake will show signs of impending shedding when its scales become dull, its eyes become hazy, and it becomes less active.
The Basis And Decoration
Wood chips or shards, such as those from beech, fir, and aspen, are the most frequently suggested substrate for Taiwan beauty snakes. They assist in preserving steady humidity levels and mimic the wild woodlands where these snakes are found.
Additionally, you must give a basking stone on which your snake can rest while it basks. Put the basking stone on the enclosure’s warm side. Make sure the stone doesn’t get too heated or sit too close to the light.
You can add a damp hide to the cooler side of the enclosure to give the snake somewhere to cool off. The substrate for the hide is a suitable choice of sphagnum moss because it retains moisture well and fosters a cold, dark habitat. As long as your snake can fit within, you can also make a hide out of plastic.
The balance that your snake needs to be healthy is provided by the basking stone and hide. Tree branches are another important ornament that your Taiwan beauty snake needs to climb. Your pet will like having lots of branches to climb and explore because it is a semi-arboreal species.
Cleaning
The enclosure for your pet Taiwan beauty snake must always be kept spotless. Remove any droppings and perform daily spot cleaning.
When a month, thoroughly clean the enclosure. Cleaning with common household products poses a risk to the snake. Always use cleaning supplies made for reptile terrariums.
Replace the substrate while performing this monthly deep clean. To make certain that there isn’t a buildup of bacteria and germs that could injure your snake, it’s essential to properly disinfect everything in the enclosure.
When cleaning the enclosure, you can put your snake in a plastic bucket with ventilation holes.
To avoid germs or slime accumulation, remember to clean your snake’s water bowl once a week.
Last but not least, make sure the snake has access to fresh, clean water by changing the water in the bowl every day.
Taiwan Snake Beauty Care
For those with some snake-handling experience, Taiwan beauty snakes are the ideal choice. They won’t likely attack, but when they sense danger, they can be a little unpredictable. Your pet snake can have a long, happy life if the following parameters are met.
Water And Food
Pinky mice should be fed to Taiwan beauty snake hatchlings and young every five days. Obesity is one of the health issues that might result from eating more frequently than this.
When feeding snakes, a good rule of thumb is to make sure the food is no broader than the snake’s girth at its broadest point. Your snake must abide by this guideline throughout its entire life.
Frozen rats should be fed to adult Taiwan beauty snakes every week or every ten days. Your particular snake will determine how frequently you should feed it. Although rats have better nutrition than mice, your snake will still benefit from a varied diet. When your snake is fully matured, you could introduce young chicks as a reward.
Use of tongs when feeding Taiwan beauty snakes is essential. They won’t be able to connect your smell with food as a result. They may attack and bite you if they mistakenly believe you to be food when they scent you.
The snake can be put in a plastic container that has been lined with newspaper if you decide to feed it outside the enclosure. Make sure the tub you are using has enough airflow at all times.
24 hours prior to feeding and for around 48-72 hours following feeding, avoid handling your snake. When the snake is still digesting its most recent meal, handling it can impede the process and result in regurgitation.
You must give your snake a water bowl that is both sizable enough for it to soak in and heavy enough that it can’t be knocked over. To keep this water clean and fresh, you should replace it every day.
Handling
Handling Taiwan beauty snakes requires a particular amount of expertise. They are not snakes for novices. It is not advisable to attempt to handle a snake that has been caught in the wild.
One of the reasons it’s important to purchase your snake from a reliable breeder is because of this. The snake should have been handled by the breeder from an early age and appropriately acclimated to life in captivity. They become much more docile and accommodating of handling after this treatment.
Before handling your snake for the first time after receiving it, give it a few days to adjust to its new surroundings. Hold it after that for a brief while at first, then gradually extend the amount of time it is outdoors.
Typical Health Problems
Despite being generally healthy snakes, Taiwan beauty snake owners should be aware of a few health problems. Keeping a close eye on your snake is crucial so you can notice any changes as soon as they happen.
- Obesity: Overeating increases the chance of developing obesity and fatty liver disease. Observe the feeding schedule provided in this care manual. If you don’t overfeed your snake, it will live a healthy and happy life.
- Dysecdysis, also known as abnormal shedding, occurs when your snake sheds in patches. Dehydration is typically indicated by this. Make the air more humid and make sure your snake gets drenched.
- Scale rot: Lower the humidity and make sure they completely dry off if your Taiwanese beauty exhibits scale rot or blisters. If this does not resolve the problem, there may be another underlying illness or parasite at play. To guarantee that your pet receives the greatest care and has the highest chance of recovering, you should take it to the vet very away.
Breeding
Without brumation—cold-blooded animals’ equivalent of hibernation—Taiwan beauty snakes can reproduce. A three-month brumation period, however, aids with reproduction. As you move into the winter, reduce the temperature to about 65°F and maintain darkness in the cage.
The snake knows it’s time to brumate when the temperature drops. The snake must go without food for three weeks before to brumating, and you must keep starving it during the process. Restore the lighting and heating to their previous settings when the three months have passed.
The male snake can then be placed inside the female’s enclosure. Breeding should take place naturally. If your female snake becomes pregnant, you should give her calcium supplements to keep both she and the offspring healthy.
In typically, Taiwan beauty snake clutches range from 4 to 12 eggs. Once laid, eggs need to be collected and stored in an incubator at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the humidity is between 70 and 80 percent.
It should take about 60 days for the eggs to hatch. Only after the first shed should you start feeding the hatchlings; always start with pinky mice. Don’t overfeed the hatchlings, please.
How To Select And Purchase A Taiwan Beauty Snake
Taiwan beauty snakes are widely available and cost about $200 to purchase. In the US, it is likewise acceptable to own these snakes.
However, you should always make sure the breeder you are purchasing from is reliable. Analyze internet testimonials to learn about the snake breeder’s facilities.
Knowing how often a Taiwan beauty snake was handled as a juvenile is particularly crucial because it has a significant impact on its attitude. The snake gets more tame the more interactions it has with people.
Check the snake’s body for any indications of illness or abnormality before selecting it. Check its activity level because this is a great sign of health. Last but not least, if you can, try handling the snake before buying it or watch the breeder handle it. By doing this, you’ll be able to tell if the snake you’re buying is healthy.
