Here at our home, we offer our klauberi a "naturalistic display". They receive a basking area set to a timer. This basking spot allows for a very tight thermal gradient within a two foot cube. The background temperature in the room is kept to below 70 degress, and lights are on for 10 hrs during the summer and still offered for 4 hours during the winter but with a drop to 50 degrees in background temp. We use soil topped with cypress mulch as bedding, a basking area of piled rock or driftwood offer hideout and security. Water is offered at all time, and animals are misted in conjuction with the rainy season as it happens naturally. If it rains outside, the leps get it too. After using this arrangement we have noticed aggressive behavior in our specimens, much better weight gain, and awesome feeding response. This should contribute to better offspring production as time moves on.

We feed our captive females weekly, males every two weeks, appropriate sized meals are taken, and care is given not to stuff the lep due to the ever changing temperatures they endure (nightime lows). After a hibernation of 3 months to 4 months, we feed for 2 months, then begin introductions of pairs. At this time we keep our males and females together for 2 weeks at a time, giving some period to allow the female to produce pheromones and waiting for the response from the male. We do not recommend combatting, but sometimes it is necessary; just supervise them while they are together. Severe combats have been seen here with ours resulting in death of the younger, defeated male. Also, understand the losing male has no where to retreat in a cage and the aggressor will not relent with this "encroachment" of territory!

After the female is receptive, copulation is subtle and seen normally at night or evening, lasting for several hours or only 15 minutes or so. Expect young after copulations for a 4 month or longer gestation. Breedings that occur in the fall, will produce in the summer of the following year. Getting the female to ovulate is the consistent problem with lepidus. Babies are pretty simple to work with, most taking pinkie mice right away after first shed. Problem feeders will require a lizard or two to get them started.

This species is very interesting and I personally recommend maintaining at least one specimen in your collection. But beware, the bite is pretty bad. With a higher amount of neurotoxically active components than most crotalids, they pack quite a punch. And even a bite from a baby C.l.klauberi is cause for concern.

James D. Bear, Copyright 2000

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