Several colubrid snakes make excellent pets and are just as straightforward to look after as pythons. This sheet covers the common tree snake, slatey grey snake and keelback. They tend to be faster and more active than pythons, so take care during handling as they can be quick to escape.
Common Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulata)
An attractive, slender, day-active snake averaging around 120cm (up to 200cm). Being arboreal, they need a taller enclosure - around 90 x 45 x 90cm is ample - and a quality 5.0 UVB during daylight hours. Provide a thermal gradient of roughly 24-32C with slightly higher humidity. They readily eat fish; thiaminase-free feeder fish such as rosy red minnows suit larger animals, with small feeder fish for hatchlings, and they can be trained to feed from a bowl or tongs. Goldfish contain thiaminase and should only be offered as an occasional treat, not fed as a regular diet. As they have a faster metabolism, feed more often than pythons - around twice a week.
Slatey Grey Snake (Stegonotus cucullatus)
A feisty, nocturnal colubrid that reaches around 130cm. Care is similar to the common tree snake, but the enclosure need not be as tall and they appreciate a large water bowl to soak in. Hatchlings take small feeder fish; larger animals readily take defrosted rodents.
Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii)
A small freshwater snake averaging around 50cm. They do well in a fish tank or reptile enclosure around 90 x 45 x 45cm, with similar housing and feeding to the common tree snake.
Overview
These are fascinating, active snakes. Because they can be quick and a little flighty, they are not the best choice for young children. Licensing rules for colubrids vary by state, so check the current requirements with your local wildlife authority - in Queensland a wildlife licence is required.
The team at Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium is happy to help.
Recommended products
Find everything for your snake at Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium: enclosures & supplies, UVB lighting, heating & thermostats and substrate & decor. A reptile licence is required in Queensland - see our QLD reptile licence guide.
