Radiated Ratsnake, Copperhead Racer

ELAPHE RADIATA

COMMON NAMES
Radiated Ratsnake, Copperhead Racer.


DISTRIBUTION
E.radiata has a large distribution over S.E. Asia, Indonesia, including Borneo, Malaysia North to Nepal and much of Southern China.

SIZE
Generally up to 60" though they can grow a little larger (1.7 m)
SUBCAUDAL COUNT: 2 - 108
Husbandry
These are large and very active snakes and so require a large vivarium 4' x 18 x 18 for a adult pair is adequate. There should be some branches as they enjoy climbing. The substrate can be any of the normal substrates that is used for reptiles Newspaper, Corn cob, Bark chips etc. it is all a matter of aesthetics. A heat mat and a ceramic infrared heater should be placed a one end of the vivarium and connected to a thermostat. This will give a thermal gradient within the vivarium so that the snakes can move from one area to another so as to adjust their temperature. A large water dish can be placed partially over the heat mat area this will help give a humidity of 60 - 80% which E. radiata requires to stay healthy. A temperature range of 75 - 88°F (24-31°C) With a drop at night to the lower end 75°F (24°C).
Breeding
Elaphe radiata are sexually mature after 18 months.
A moss box should be placed into the vivarium just after the female's pre laying shed, she will lay her eggs in the box two to five days after her shed. A moss box is made from a plastic box with a lid (large sandwich type box) that is large enough for the female and any eggs, a hole is cut into the lid so the snake can easily enter and exit. Into the box some damp sphagnum moss, vermiculite or peat should be added and sprayed daily to maintain a high humidity inside the moss box. The eggs should be taken and placed into another box into which a 2" layer of damp vermiculite has been added and place into an incubator or cupboard at 80-82°F.
The eggs are laid approximately 45 days after mating and up to 11 eggs can be laid, though in my own snakes five to seven is more common. The eggs hatched from 65-69 days @ 28ºC (82ºF) When placing the eggs into the box of vermiculite make sure the eggs remain the same way up as they were laid by marking them with a fine marker pen. Snap on the lid and put a few small holes in the lid for gas transference as the eggs have to breath. Weigh the whole box and keep a note of it, place the box into the incubator or cupboard and check the weight every four or five days if there is a drop in weight just spray the eggs to bring the box back up to weight.
Hatchlings
The young snakes are quite large 11-12" keep them in small clear plastic sandwich boxes with some small holes in the ends, a piece of paper towelling is best for a substrate and a small container of water and leave until their first shed at this time they will be living off the absorbed yolk. After their first shed pinkie mice can be offered, they are usually taken greedily. They should be fed on pinkie mice twice a week till they are large enough to take fuzzy mice then weekly feeding can take place but I prefer to continue feeding twice weekly as these are very active and fast snakes.

Care Sheet Supplied By : John.Gamesby