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Tropical Chicken Snake
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The Tropical Chicken Snake is one of the largest and beautiful colubrids found in Central and South America. Its coloring and pattern can vary greatly. The coloration can range from almost totally black to mostly yellow to yellow-orange with black specking or irregular black banding. The eyes are black which standout against the yellow head with black bars. The yellow scales on the body are tipped or rimed with black. The ventral surface is yellow to yellow-orange with scattered black edges or bars. A cross-section of the body is more triangular in shape. These are long slender snakes with long tapered tails. They reach an average length of six to eight feet and record of 11-12 feet.
Spilotes has a large geographic distribution ranging from Tamauilpas, Mexico (Spilotes p. mexicanus) south through the rest of Central America and into South America occurring in Trinidad, Tobago, Surinam, Guyana and further south to northern Argentina. There are five recognized subspecies occurring in this range. Most imported specimens come from Surinam, Guyana, and Colombia, South America along with the other common pet trade reptiles and amphibians.
This snake can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from rainforest, open bush and scrub woodlands, and near farms and villages where it is attracted by rodents and chickens. It is never far from water and can be found in the rafters of abandoned huts and houses. Being mostly a diurnal and arboreal snake, Spilotes spends most of its time in the branches of trees and bushes.
Its diet consists of small mammals, birds, frogs, lizards and other snakes. Prey is killed either by constriction or by pressing down on it against a hard surface. In captivity, ours accepts live or pre-killed mice, small rats and chicks.
The Tiger Rat snake, because of its size and habits does well in a large roomy and tall enclosure with plenty of branches and foliage which provide a good hide area.. A large water container and daily misting will help keep the required high humidity. Artificial lights should run 12-14 hours a day with a temperature range of 77°F to 86°F during the day with a small night time drop. Fresh imports are fairly aggressive and often inflated their necks vertically when threatened, vibrate their tails and strike. All are parasitized to some degree and should be treated appropriately. Our specimens are active snakes but seem to settle down as they become more acclimated to their new home. I occasionally forget to close the cage and had to hunt for my seven foot male Spilotes. I found him about a week later cruising upstairs in the Serpentarium. When I approached it, it froze, I picked it up gently and carried it down stairs and returned it to its cage. Only before entering its cage did it become excited and wiggly but didn't offer to bite with loose handling.
We have observe mating in later February and March and hope for egg laying in the next month. These snakes have been breed in captivity (Moscow Zoo) and probably wild imports have deposited eggs as well. Captive born are uncommon in the pet trade. Baby snakes prefer frogs and lizards and probably pinkie mice. I will publish a follow-up article if and when we hatch eggs and work with neonates. The 22 Spilotes I have were hand picked for high yellow and average size, five to eight feet in length, and freshly imported. I have had several imports that didn't live more than a week or two because they were not hand picked and not in good health.
This has to be one of the best display snakes in our museum because of its conspicuous and beautiful colors, impressive size, daytime activity, laying among the branches for easy viewing and hardy appetite.
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