Oreophis porphyraceus coxi
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Oreophis
porphyraceus coxi juvenile male
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| Oreophis porphyraceus coxi, previously known as Elaphe porpyracea coxi, is a new described subspecies of one of the most beautiful ratsnakes, there is. It inhabit the rainforest of the mountains in the Northeast of Thailand in the provinses Loei, Khon San and Chaiyaphum/Phetchabun. This ratsnake is one of the smaller species of the genus reaching a max. Length of about a meter. Both juveniles and the adults are screaming orange red with 2 black stripes. Juveniles can have 2 -6-black bloches between the stripes, but they fade with age. |
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Oreophis
porphyraceus coxi adult male
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Keeping these lovely ratsnakes is very similar to the mandarin snake. Wild caught animals are almost impossible to keep alive, but there has been a few successfull breedings, and captive bred juveniles can be found on the market. Like mandarins they prefer a cooler inviroment and a moist area, that they like occupy especially during shedding. They prey on rodents and accept even defrosted food items.
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Coxi
hatching
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Hibernation isn`t mandatory for breeding, but a cooler period at 12 -15*C is recommended. Up to 7 eggs in a clutch, but 3-4 is normal. The eggs hatch after 45 -70 days and the juveniles are 22 -29 cm and about 6 g. The captive bred animals seems to be very easy snakes, but the price is sky high. |
