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Cerastes Substrate.
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by trueviper_uk on February 5, 2007
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I'm starting my research for C.cerastes basic husbandry. This is the last snake that I'm going to aqquire making a total of 6 vipers.
What I'd like to know from all you well experianced cerastes keepers (especially you phobos) is what is the best substrate to use.
Yes, sand but exactly what types of sand are best to make the little guy feel right at home and allow him to behave naturally and bury himself in an ambush posistion?
Also, do these snakes caudal lure? I've read some literature on cerastes but it wasn't mentioned.
Regards,
Mark.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by tj on February 5, 2007
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Get a desert sand, any kind should do. Or,if you don't have access to it, you can go with desert blend, it's digestible. I can't remember who makes it.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by Rob_Carmichael on February 6, 2007
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Be careful about commercial "digestible desert blends" most of these types of products can cause severe impaction problems.
With our Cerastes, which we have had for over 8 years, we just purchase "beach sand" (a fine, white looking sand) from the hardware store and mix a little top soil in....not sure on the ration as we just sort of eye it (probably something like 4 parts sand to 1 part dirt). We also sprinkle a few dead leaves on the surface and provide a very weathered piece of driftwood and the exhibit looks great. It's natural sand that is fine enough to allow the snake to easily submerge itself but not so fine that it causes dust to fly around when the snake moves (which can cause respiratory problems...the dirt helps with this). Other products like ground up walnut shells have been used with success but you just need to find something that you have access to and works for the snake. The "white" colore beach sand, with a little top soil mixed in, makes for a very eye pleasing arrangement.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by sceniccityreptiles on February 6, 2007
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I have never kept this species, let me say that up front. But the animals that I have kept that came from sandy areas, such as the eastern hognose of SC, coral snakes, etc do very on simple Alfalfa pellets. Same as you can buy at most pets stores for rabbit food. I have found sand to be problematic getting under scales, around the eyes and in the mouth causing irritations. I have also read of problems with animals ingesting sand during feeding and causing impaction problems. I have not observed any such problems on the pellets. With a collection the size of mine, due to time and space constraints, I can not remove all my snakes from there primary cage for feeding, even if a few pellets are ingested, they should digest without problems. As for the set up on my hogs, I keep them in a slide rack with a tub that has a length and width about the same as the length of the snake. I place about 3 inches of pellets in the tub and use a heavy glass food storage bowl for a water dish. I leave the rubber lid on the bowl and only cut a round hole in the top big enough for the snake to put its head in. this helps to keep down humidity in the cage and also saves water from splashing out, the pellets turn to mush when wet. The snake completely burrows into the pellets making it completely invisible. I have to dig them out if I ever want to show them off. Been using this set up for several years and I am very happy with the results.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by trueviper_uk on February 6, 2007
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Thanks for your replies Al, tj, Rob and Chuck.
Some very good and varied suggestions , exactly what I have come to expect from this forum.
Exuse my ignorance, but I'm suprised to hear about compaction problems with sand, how would the animals avoid this in their natural habitat?
Chuck, That is a very impressive rattler you are tailing in your profile photo. It's a beauty!
What species is that?
Regards,
Mark.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by Rob_Carmichael on February 6, 2007
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I've been keeping rattlers and various desert dwelling vipers on natural sand or sandy/soil substrates for over 20 years (and many of those snakes are still with me) and I have never encountered a single problem with ingestion, sand getting into scales/nares/loreal pits/etc (desert dwelling animals are adapted to dealing with these issues). There's no doubt that they periodically ingest a little substrate but it passes just fine as evidence by very well formed fecal matter. My desert dwelling snakes are not on sand 24/7 as they also spend time on raised rock piles, driftwood, etc. I feed my f/t rodents in a fairly dried state so that sand/soil can't stick to it; and, I do supervise during feeding time. Snakes kept on mulch are much more concerning to me due to the many splinters and large pieces of particulate matter that could be ingested and cause possible death. My cerastes has never encountered any sand related problems and he is the picture of perfect health (and long term health). I do not advocate the use of alfalfa but as you said, lots of experienced folks here will recommend different things. Everyone must do what they feel is best for the animal. I agree, that is one big honking horridus that Chuck is holding.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by sceniccityreptiles on February 6, 2007
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Rob, I have never seen the impaction problems either, that is why I made a point to say I have only read about them. May just be urban legend. Mark, in the wild snakes like to be camouflaged when they feed, so I would say rarely are they out in the open desert eating. Would be very hard to sneak up on prey and they would feel uncomfortable taking it down out there anyway. Most likely they attack and feed on or near the rocks or few trees they have. Only a guess, I haven’t researched desert dwellers that much. That snake in my pic is a yellow phase timber rattle snake from Lookout Mtn, GA. She is a full 56” and 12 pounds. Far as we know, she is the biggest in captivity. She is on display at the Chattanooga Nature Center in Chattanooga, TN.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by trueviper_uk on February 6, 2007
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Chuck,
The Desert Horned Viper ( C.cerastes ) is a predator exstremely well adapted to its enviroment. I'm sure it does come across prey when foraging upon rocky surfaces and amongst desert plants, thus being away from sand.
One thing I do know about them is they bury themselves into the sand leaving only their eyes exposed. This is why the horns evolved to enable the sand to fall away from their eyes so their vision is un-obstructed.
It's a trait found in several other desert dwelling species including the Sidewinder rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes.
As I'm sure your aware vipers are sit and wait specialists and C. cerastes is no exception.
They will sit buried in the sand in this perfect ambush posistion until a little lizard or mouse comes scurrying past and WHAM! They usually hold on to their prey and swallow it right there and then.
So, knowing this it is reasonably safe to assume they are in and amoungst sand when they begin feeding.
They also prefer very fine sand and are usually found in areas where this type of sand is the norm, which is why I feel the correct substate for these snakes is very important.
You see, I have researched desert species.
Regards,
Mark.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by tj on February 6, 2007
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"They also prefer very fine sand and are usually found in areas where this type of sand is the norm, which is why I feel the correct substate for these snakes is very important."
Agreed. Just make sure it's fine sand and not dried dirt. There is a difference and the dried dirt will produce alot dust, which won't be good for the snake.
I've kept three snakes on calcium sand/desert blend and haven't had any problems, but have "heard" of impaction problems.
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RE: Cerastes Substrate.
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by Cro on February 6, 2007
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I would agree that these animals do fine in captivity on a sandy substrate.
They have spent thousands of years adapting to living that way.
If there is a problem with ingestion of sand and compaction, it is probably due to poor husbandry, such as putting a wet-thawed mouse in the cage and having sand stick to the mouse and thus be ingested.
I would also have to also dissagree with the use of alfalfa rabbit food pellets for a substrate. These could be viewed as a food source by various insects, which we would not want to attract to our cages. We have all probably seen how flour or cornmeal will become infested with weevels over time. I think the same could happen with the alfalfa. Also, these products are hydroscopic, and easily absorb moisture from the atmosphere, which could result in a damp area for the snake to live on.
Best Regards JohnZ
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