Geographical Region

South America

Habitat

Humid tropical rainforests, where they live in the canopy

Colour

Sandy/grey background colouration with black patterns/markings

Size

Up to 6ft, but very slender

Captive Environment

24 x 24 x 30 for a pair as they drape over branches and coil up very small. Plenty of branches for them to slide across and coil up on, plus plenty of plastic plants to help them feel more secure. Moist substrate such as orchid/rainforest substrate or cypress bedding will help to raise the humidity. A large water bowl is also needed to allow them to soak in.

Heating

88°F basking temp with a cooler end of 82°F, night time temperature should be no less than 75°F. A heat plate should be used in the tank this way the snakes cannot coil around the bulb and burn themselves, otherwise a bulb outside the tank should be used, plus a heat mat stuck to the back of the tank to allow night time temperature to stay. These snakes are nocturnal.

Lighting

A 2% uv tube can be used to light these snakes as it will show their colour much better, if not a normal strip light, or bulb can be used (both placed outside the tank).

Photoperiod

Autumn/winter – 11 hours light – 13 hours dark.

Spring/summer – 13 hours light – 11 hours dark.

Feeding

These snakes should be fed appropriate sized rodents, nothing bigger than the snake at its thickest point.

Sexing

Males have a much longer, slender tail from the cloaca, females tail is a lot shorter but stumpier near the vent. Easiest way to sex them is to have an experienced keeper probe them

Shedding

Snakes periodically shed their skin, their colouration tends to become dull and they usually go off their food during this time, and their eyesight is poor. Keep handling to a minimum during this time.