Mandarin Rat Snake
Part II: The Update
Reviewing, my original female Mandarin Rat snake laid
six fertile eggs on June 7, 1989 which hatched on July 26, 1989 (49 days). I
also had a small wild import lay 2 fertile eggs on July 14, 1989 which hatched
54 days later on September 7, 1989. I had a total sex ratio of 3.5
(male/female). I raised the baby Mandarins in shoe boxes to sweater boxes to
terrariums as they grew over the years. On the third year I began breeding the
larger females. Incidentally, the original female died the following year in
the spring. The newly imported female which laid two eggs also died that same
year. I have also lost several of the captive born over the years. Some of
those deaths were attribute, I believe, to dehydration. They occurred while I
was away on a collecting trip. Similar to the mountain kings of Arizona, the
Mandarins seem to do much better with a damp thick substrate, available water
at all times, secure hiding areas, and lower temperatures. Unfortunately, I
was not able to keep the Mandarins cooler. They were in the same room with all
of my other colubrids which had an air temperature in the low 80's. I still
produced babies over the last four years. I think I would have had a higher
egg fertility rate with cooler temperatures.
This year I place my Mandarins in a natural habitat display
using western cedar mulch as a substrate (no odor, not incense cedar). It is
periodically misted to prevent it from drying out. I also used large flat
rocks, grape wood, and live plants. Once a week I would sprinkle pinkie mice
and rats. The rodents usually disappear by the next day. It is also one of the
cooler displays setting on the floor. A vitalite is the only heat source which
is minimal. Air temperature reached about 80*F which would mean a cooler
temperature existed beneath the rocks and substrate.
I was very fortunate to produce any Mandarins this year. My
primary male had escaped and was never found. Late April I was able to
purchase two beautiful and healthy males from Rick and Mary Stafford of
Allston, Mass. In fact, one of the males was one of my first captive born that
I had sold Rick years ago. Upon receiving the males, I introduced them to the
females that same day. Time was running out and I didn't want to miss the
females breeding cycle. Courtship and breeding followed immediately. One
female this year (1995) laid 5 eggs, normally she lays four, all were fertile
and hatched with a 2.3 sex ratio. Three of the five neonates fed on their
first feeding of pinkie mice. Four of five fed on their second feeding a week
later. I generally begin feeding about a week after their first molt. Another
recently imported female laid infertile eggs. She should be ready for a better
clutch next season.
I'm looking forward to the next season to producing some new
bloodlines.
