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WAGLER'S VIPERS
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by snakeking on January 9, 2003
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I recently acquired a new adult female Sumatran Wagler's Viper (female). I have had her for about 3 weeks and she will not leave the floor of her cage. I have given her adequate humidity, a place to roost, and a natural setup with proper lighting and everything. Is she sick or is this sometimes normal behavior.
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RE: WAGLER'S VIPERS
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by TomT on January 9, 2003
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Without knowing anymore details, I'd guess that it's too HOT in the enclosure. Have you been misting her to ensure she's adequately hydrated? I do not mean to be insulting, but these animals rarely drink from standing water and if you haven't been misting or spraying (mine never liked "hard" misting so I dripped water on their heads) she might be dehydrated. I would give her a basking branch with a measurable contact temperature of 88-90 degrees. Ambient temperature of 80-85 degrees during the daytime, dropping into the 70s at night.... regular mistings (keep offering the water until she doesn't drink anymore) and I would feed every three to four weeks.... I hope this helps.
Tom
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RE: WAGLER'S VIPERS
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by Chris_Harper2 on January 14, 2003
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I've worked with the species a bit and a few things come to mind. First, the lighting may be too bright and she feels more comfortable on the floor of the cage where it is darker. Or it could be the lights are too hot for her. I keep my Wagler's pretty cool and they do fine as far as I can tell.
Second, my male always goes to the floor when he is thirsty. I let my misting system dry out for a few days ever couple of weeks (to keep microbial growth down) and he is always sitting on the floor of the cage by the time I hook it back up.
However, I've not seen this behavior with ten or so females I've kept through the years. I have seem them on the floor of their cages but it did not appear to have anything to do with hydration.
Third, she may not like the perches available to her. When given a choice Wagler's of both sexes will use perches significantly thinner than their diameter at the largest point of their body.
So for now I'd set you animal up in a heavily "planted" cage using either live or fake plants. I'd provide perches in a variety of diameters and offer some at angles as well as some close to horizontal. Don't worry about lights. As long as your snake has some light during the day and minimal light at night she should not be too stressed out.
As you animal becomes acclimated you can provide some overhead lighting but I'd avoid extremely bright or hot lights.
Good luck.
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