Baron’s Green Racers (aka Green Pampas Snake), Philodryas baroni

Barons Racer These South American, rear fanged colubrids are some of the most stunning, bizarre and just all around cool herps I have ever worked with. Although they are rear fanged, they primarily use constriction to subdue their prey. They make great exhibit animals due to their diurnal and arboreal tendencies which is why I am so drawn to them. They quickly learn to recognize their owner and as soon as you enter the room, they are usually right at the front of their cage and will watch your every movement. Although they are not aggressive and fairly docile, they are pretty flighty and you have to have your wits about you when taking them out; they are super fast! Male reach approximately 3′ and females can reach close to 5′.

Caring for them is a bit trickier than most colubrids but still certainly within the reaches of most hobbyists. Although they can be kept in large plastic tubs in a rack style system, they are best shown off in a naturalistic set up. We keep them in both rack systems and in large arboreal vivariums. If you prefer a simple set up: large sterilite or similar blanket box, newspaper substrate, low lying hide box (we use the plastic plant saucers and cut an entry in the side….even heavy duty paper plates with some depth work great), several branches or dowel rods for low lying climbing opportunities and a water bowl. Boxes are misted with lukewarm water every two days to keep ambient humidity levels moderately high (80%). Temperatures are kept stable day and night: 72-74 degrees F. on the cool side and 86 on the warm side. The room that the rack is kept in receives bright but indirect light. If you prefer to go “au naturale” (which is what we recommend as it greatly enhances the enjoyment of keeping them), here’s how to keep them: Tall arboreal cage (Vision, Habitat Systems, etc.) that is approximately 36″ wide x 18″ deep x 24 to 36″ high, sand/dirt/leaf mulch substrate with additional dead leaves sprinkled on surface, potted plants and lots of vertical, horizontal and diagonal branches, full spectrum fluorescent with radiant heat panel (connected to a thermostat), and large, shallow water dish. If you want to go all out, cover the back of the cage with slabs of cork; looks real nice. Cages are misted every other day. In the wild, these snakes consume lizards, frogs and other small animals. In captivity, they can be easily weaned onto mice. Some will accept frozen/thawed mice off of tongs while others prefer that you just leave a dead mouse in a quiet part of their cage and they’ll consume it when they feel safe. Once a month we supplement their dead rodents with vitamins by placing a small pinch of RepCal and Herptivite on the rump of a dead mouse.

Availability - I have an exceptional colony and hope to have one pair going this year.
Price: $350-$650

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 11:51 am and is filed under Collection. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Baron’s Green Racers (aka Green Pampas Snake), Philodryas baroni

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