Captive husbandry and breeding of Gonyosoma boulengeri
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Published source details
Kane D., Gill I., Harding L., Capon J., Franklin M., Servini F., Tapley B. & Michaels C.J. (2017) Captive husbandry and breeding of Gonyosoma boulengeri. The Herpetological Bulletin, 139, 7-11.
Published source details Kane D., Gill I., Harding L., Capon J., Franklin M., Servini F., Tapley B. & Michaels C.J. (2017) Captive husbandry and breeding of Gonyosoma boulengeri. The Herpetological Bulletin, 139, 7-11.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Breed reptiles in captivity: Snakes – Colubrids Action Link |
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Breed reptiles in captivity: Snakes – Colubrids
A study in 2008 and 2013–2016 at London Zoo, UK (Kane et al. 2017) reported that two pairs of rhino rat snakes Gonyosoma boulengeri bred successfully in captivity. Two females laid one clutch each of nine eggs (including one infertile egg from one female). Three eggs from one of the clutches (33%) and six from the other (66%) hatched successfully. At least three of the hatchling snakes survived for at least three years. One pair of snakes was acquired in 2008, and a second pair in 2013. The 2013 pair was housed in an enclosure with a chipped bark substrate, a range of different plants and branches, and a hide box containing damp sphagnum moss Sphagnum sp. Ambient temperatures ranged from 24–28°C in summer and 18–26°C over winter, and a basking spot at 30–34°C was also provided. Eggs were removed and placed in vermiculite (1:1 mix with water by weight) and incubated at 28°C. Hatchlings were moved to individual plastic tanks.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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