Vol. 7. pp. 85-86

Asiatic Herpetological Research(997Captive propagation of the Mandarin Rat Snake {Elaphe mandarina)
at Moscow Zoo

Sergei Mamet and Sergei Kudryavtsev
Department of Herpetology, Moscow Zoo, B.Gruzinskaya I 123242 Moscow, Russia,Abstract. -Some results of a long-term breeding project aimed at captive propagation of the Mandarin Rat Snake(Elaphe mandarina) are presented.

Data on breeding periods, clutch size, number of young and their sizes aregiven.

Key words: Reptilia. Serpentes, Elaphe mandarina, captive reproduction.

Introduction

cies,

The Mandarin Rat Snake {Elaphe mandarina) is distributed

insouth-eastern

Asia from upper Burma(Myanmar) through southern China to northern Vietnam, inhabiting mountain forests and rocky slopes
covered with bushes.

It

probably is one of the mostsought after species of the genus, for a large part due
toit'sunusual and quite colorful coloration.

How-trying to adapt a newly received wild-caught Mandarin

Rat Snake is a nearly obligatory and quite heavy

parasite infestation, including both subcutaneous andinternal helminths.

From more than a dozen of wild-

An incandescent heating bulb was present in theetc.

terrarium, however, for the most part it was switchedas the preferred temperatures for thesesnakesapparently were 22-26°C during daytime and 16-18°C
night (both according to previous owner's and to
our own observations). Humidity was maintained at aat

rather high level, by daily sprinkling with warm water.

Rations included pink mice and. eventually, adultmice and small rats (even as adult, the male prefers
pink mice to any other food), offered at first twice aweek and then, as the snakes grew, weekly. Chickencess.

vived and adapted to captivity, mainly because ofprompt and extensive medical treatment of the abovecm.

mg/kg. repeated after 10 days; 2,59c Albendasol Val-W

typical assortment of water basin, several shelters,
moisture chamber (which they frequented eagerly),caught Mandarin Rat Snakes, that have been in ourpossession in course of about 10 years, only three sur-mentioned problems. Lately, as a routine, we treat all
newly arrived snakes with Metronidasol (Flagyl) 250

They were housed together in a glass enclox H) withmeasuring 40 x 25 x 25 cm (L x

13.9 g.
sure,off,

usually arrive very stressed and in a poor shape after
prolonged transportation and transfers. Also, one of
the main reasons for a low percent of success when

The animals were 290+65

male and female, respectively) and weighed 13.3 andever, these snakes are rather difficult to maintain, as

most of those becoming available are wild-caught andMr. Munzenmaier.

mm and 330+68 mm long (body length + tail length,and frogs were offered as well, but without any suc-

The snakes grew fast and eventually werehoused separately, in glass enclosures 60 x 40 x 40

By October, 1992, the snakes measured 734+175
and 742+154

mm and weighed 231.8 and 327.7 g(basen) 0,2-0,4 ml/kg, repeated twice every 7 days if

symptoms

persist;Prasiquantel(Baytril)

5mg/kgevery 24 hours for 3-5 days, administered either peros or subcutaneous, depending on clinical signs.

Another traditional mistake made when dealing withthis species isover-heating which also can (and usu-ally does) cause health problems.

largestThus, probably thechances for success are with either captive-(male and female, respectively) and were considered
After a preparatory period of 30 days theymature.

were put to hibernation at

1

1-14°C for approximately

3 months. After hibernation, in February-March, thesnakes were housed separately and were offered foodmore often than prior to hibernation, i.e. twice a week.
No vitamins were added and no UV radiation waspresent.

Onborn or very young wild-caught animals, provided the1April. 1993, the female was introduced to themale's enclosure, with male showing immediate inter-general care is correct.

est

Husbandry and Reproduction
In 1989. a pair of new-born

Mandarin Rat Snakes wasreceived from probably thefirstbreeder of this spe-and beginning

topurchase the female

atonce.

Approximately two hours later, first copulation wasobserved, lasting for 28 minutes, during which period
the male

was holding the female by the "neck" with

Vol. 7, p. 86

Table 1#.

Asiatic Herpetological Research

Egg measurements of clutch from 1993.

1997