Gonyosoma Boulengeri
"Rhino Ratsnake"
Colubridae
Description
This beautiful snake length around 100 to 120 cm (3,2 to 4 ft) long. Newborns are born gray with sometimes a few small brown spots. Similarly to youngs Gonyosoma Frenatum, after around two years they change to adopt their green color, ponctuated by very small black stripes. They possess a horn-like structure at their nose, where they get their name from, that's actually flexible.
They have a livespan up to 20 years.
Some snakes carry a recessive gene, which prevents the production of the yellow pigment. It is called an Axanthic Morph, and with it the Gonyosoma Boulengeri never takes its green coloration at adulthood.
Like the others Gonyosoma, this colubridae is pretty nervous, though considered to be the most docile of the genus. They won't bite immediately if they feel threatened ; They start by signaling wether by hissing or adopting the classic "S" position. They will try to flee after a stressful encounter. If they attack, they can use their tail or bite. While this snake's bite is harmeless, it can sometimes be a bit painful, like a cat's claw. They remain a pretty shy specie overall.
Natural habitat
Originating from the regions of northern Vietnam and southern China, the Gonyosoma Boulengeri is typically found in the moist, elevated forests of these areas. These semi-arboreal snakes thrives near water sources. They exhibit diurnal tendencies but also display some nocturnal activity.
Maintenance
A terrarium measuring at least 100 x 60 x 60 centimeters (39 x 23.5 x 23.5 inches) is the bare minimum space requirement for a single adult specimen to be happy. It must be equiped with a heat source, a waterbowl big enough for the snake to get in, a thermometer and a hygrometer. I would also recommand a bioactive terrarium, with a loose and absorbent substrate like blonde peat. It needs some branchs on different heights, placed horizontally. They also need a water source where they can easily enter without getting trapped. The humidity needs to be controlled ; It needs to stay around 50 to 60%. Higher humidity can harm your snake and cause skin problems. The day temperature at the cold spot needs to be at 25°C (77°F), with a hot spot at 28°C (82°F) maximum. The night temperature needs to get down to 18 to 20°C, with a hot spot at 24°C maximum.
Nice plants suited for this terrarium :
Diet
They usually drink from the water dropplets fell on them or the leaves. In the wild, they prey on lizards, fishes and rodent. In captivity, frozen mices are fine.
Reproduction
Oviparous, the female lays between 5 to 10 eggs per clutch.
In captivity, the Gonyosoma Boulengeri can be put in hibernation for 2-3 months at a lower temperature. Coming out of hibernation, the female will eat and the male will get put into the female's enclosure, and the mating can start. When the eggs are laid, they need to be incubated at 27°C (80,5°F) for 60 days. When they hatch, the newborns length approximatively 30 cm (12 inch).
Protection status
Least concern, IUCN 3.1
