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White-Lipped Tree PitViper
Trimeresurus albolabris
By Derek Morgan
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Photo Courtesy of
Derek Morgan |
Caging: These snakes are primarily
arboreal and tall cages set up with strong limbs and/or tall
plants are ideal. Females are huge (3+ feet) and need extra
space, while males are much smaller and can be maintained in
20-gallon high aquariums. I use live plants planted in dirt
with pine bark mulch or shredded aspen as a substrate. A hide
spot should be offered as they may prefer to be secluded
during the day. Animals should be housed separately to avoid
accidents during feedings.
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Environmental conditions: In the
wild, these animals go through a warmer dry-season and a
cooler wet- season. Therefore, they are more tolerant of
cooler temperatures and changes in humidity. I cycle my snakes
according to the seasonal changes experienced where I live.
The tanks are allowed to be cooler (72-75 F) and wetter
(70-80% humidity) during our winter and they are warmer (78-82
F) and drier (30-40%) during our summer. Nighttime temps of
70-72 F are tolerable. I provide a spotlight year round and
allow the snakes to bask if they wish to. They will most
likely drink from a water bowl, but misting weekly will ensure
that they are hydrated.
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Feeding: If kept under the
conditions mentioned above, these snakes will feed more during
the warmer months. Females may be veracious during the summer,
but feed sparingly during the winter. They will also feed
veraciously prior to breeding. Males may be sporadic eaters
year round. Problem feeders can be offered small lizards, but
once they begin feeding on rodents, they seem to prefer them.
Adult females will eat large mice, while the smaller males
will need fuzzies. Large females will feed to obesity, so
feedings should be limited to twice a month. Babies are
usually small and will need to be fed pinky parts (hams or
heads). Babies may also need to be
"tail-teased" to elicit a feeding response.
This trick involves first tapping the snake’s tail with the
food item and then offering it to the animal.
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Breeding: If kept as suggested, they
will breed during the cooler months. I have most often
witnessed copulation in October and November. Along with the
cooler temperatures, I mist the cages heavily on a daily basis
starting in September and ending in January. Copulation may
take place at night and last for hours, but I have also
witnessed many copulations during the early morning hours. The
animals should be separated after allowing time for several
copulations. Large litters of up to 15 babies are born live
after about six months. Babies should be housed individually
as I have experienced cannibalism in this
species.
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