By Roger Pewtress and Nipper Read
Madagascar is, by the nature of its geography, a paradise for insular island endemic species, and as such is a herpers dream. Iconic species such as Sanzinia, the Madagascar Tree boas, Acrantophis, the ground boas, a raft of chameleons, Uroplatus, the cryptic geckos, Langaha, the amazing Leaf-Nosed Snakes (seen in previous issues of this fine publication) and one of my personal favourites the Malagasy Cat-Eyed Snake.
The Malagasy Cat-Eyed snakes, or Madagascarophis, are a great love of mine. I recently had the opportunity to discuss the various species and captive care of this interesting genus with Roger Pewtress, one of the leading breeders of these snakes in Europe. Roger was a fount of info regarding the biology, care and breeding of Madagascarophis and I can now hopefully pass some of this on in this article.
The genus Madagascarophis comprises five species. Ranging from colubrinus discovered in 1877, to the recently discovered lolo in 2016. Only two species, colubrinus and meridionalis are commonly available in the hobby. The local Malagasy name for this genus is Marolambo, meaning “many in the hole” in reference to the snake’s habit of resting during the day in holes of ant nests.
Madagascarophis are opisthoglyphous, meaning they are venomous, with a rear fanged venom delivery system. Care should be taken with all venomous snakes, no matter how “mild” the venom, in case of anaphylactic shock. Envenomation, even without an allergic reaction, may cause severe localised symptoms such as pain, swelling, blistering and necrosis.
The species
Madagascarophis colubrinus, Boettger 1877
These colubrids are small snakes, maxing out around one meter. There are differing , distinct colour forms, yellow, silver, khaki and brown. The colour is always interspersed with darker blotches. They are slim bodied with a distinct head. The most notable characteristic is the large, vertical pupils that give these snakes their common name.
There are six sub-species of colubrinus: colubrinus citrinus, colubrinus colubrinus, colubrinus insularis, colubrinus occidentalis, colubrinus pastoriensis and colubrinus septentrionalis. Only colubrinus colubrinus, colubrinus occidentalis, colubrinus insularis and colubrinus citrinus are available in the hobby.
Madagascarophis colubrinus is a snake of opportunistic habitat’s, they are encountered in secondary forest, open grassland and disturbed habitat, often found in gardens and outbuildings. This genus is nocturnal in habit, and hunts a variety of small prey such as small mammals, lizards, notably chameleons, frogs and hatchling birds. The snakes show a strong arboreal nature, but can be seen hunting on the ground.
Madagascarophis colubrinus is a very widespread snake on Madagascar, and the various sub-species are found in all but the South of the island.
Madagascarophis ocellatus, Domergue, 1987
This species is rarely available in the hobby. Morphologically, ocellatus are very similar to colubrinus however the colour tends to be a brown background with heavy darker blotches. Ocellatus is found in the extreme Southern region of Madagascar, and again this species is tolerant of various habit types.
Madagascarophis meridionalis, Domergue, 1987
This species is available to the hobbyist, and is visually indistinct from colubrinus. In fact, scale counts and DNA testing are often required to separate it. This snake is known only from the arid forests of south western Madagascar. The vegetation here is predominantly thorn bushes. This species is another opportunistic feeder, often seen preying on amphibians.
Madagascarophis fuchsi, Glaw et al 2013
This species is not available to the general hobbyist. A stunning and small colubrid, similar in morphology to the other Madagascarophis, however this particular species displays a tan to reddish background colour and more delicate blotching. Fuchsi is found only in the limestone Karst habitat of the Montagne des Francis region.
Madagascarophis lolo, Ruane et all 2016
This snake is the newest snake in this genus. Discovered in the Karst areas of Analamera and Ankarana in the extreme North of the island. This snake is known as the ghost cat snake, in reference to its white translucent appearance and the fact it is only rarely seen at night. The snake differs from other Madagascarophis in that its body is a very light almost white grey, with a dark vertebral stripe and paler grey blotching. This snake is a karst specialist, feeding predominantly on geckos.
Captive care
Madagascarophis make excellent captive subjects. Their habitat adaptiveness means that they can thrive even when the husbandry is suboptimal. Madagascarophis will do well in a rack system, sterile vivarium or naturalistic, bioactive set up. Both Roger and I prefer to keep in vivariums rather than tubs. I like to observe my snakes as much as possible, and I think a lot of behaviour is missed when tubs are used.
Adult specimens require at least a 90cm x 45cm vivarium. Height should allow some climbing as these snakes display a great deal of arboreal activity. I use a fine orchid bark as substrate, but Lignosol or a similar wood based substrate would work equally well. The vivarium is furnished with branches, cork bark hides and humid hides of sphagnum moss. Clean water is always available in a large bowl.
Summer temperatures are 84F (28C) in the daytime and 76F (24C) at night. In winter, I let the night temps drop to 70F (21C). A UV light is placed in one area of the viv. These are nocturnal snakes, but they do rest in positions where they will absorb UV light. Juveniles are kept in smaller plastic tubs, with a similar set up to adults.
These snakes are voracious feeders, and care should be taken not to over feed. I feed a variety of prey items of appropriate size. Day old quail, small mice, house geckos and rat pinks. Juveniles can be difficult feeders, but will normally take small geckos, pinks or frogs.
Madagascar has a subtropical seasonal climate with a hot and rainy season between November and March and a cooler dry season from May to October. I try to replicate these temperature and humidity changes in the vivarium. Increasing light hours and spraying more during the “summer” period. Madagascarophis will actively drink from water bowls, however I do spray daily to ensure the snakes are properly hydrated.
Breeding
As with all my snakes, I believe food, light and temperature cycling is the key to success in breeding. Prior to the breeding season, I will increase the food availability dramatically. I will continue this increase until a few weeks after the snakes have been paired off. I will then reduce the prey availability for the males, but keep the females on a slightly more frequent food regime for another three weeks. After that I will reduce the food availability to normal levels. For the males I will cease feeding in the coolest months, the females I feed sparingly, but most will refuse food if gravid.
Lighting is cycled to mimic the summer and winter seasons, with the humidity and temperatures altered accordingly. In the wild, Madagascarophis are seasonal breeders influenced by temperatures and humidity towards the end of the dry season, the beginning of the rainy season, oviposition and neonate birth which coincides with maximum prey availability.
Gravid females will lay a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs in humid hide boxes. The eggs are removed and placed in SIM style plastic containers. I prefer the raised tray over water method, but old school perlite or vermiculite is equally suitable. Eggs will start to pip at around 75 to 80 days at a temp of 78 degrees. Neonates are housed in small hatchling tubs in a hatchling rack. I keep the neonates on paper towels, with a small hide and water bowl.
Both Roger and I would recommend this genus as great snakes to keep and breed. The hardiness, small size, range of colour and feeding response, all make the Madagascarophis clade a great group to work with. In these times of global lock down, changing politics and laws, I would strongly recommend getting a group of these snakes now. Wild caught imports may disappear overnight if Madagascar closes its wildlife trade quotas. We have seen similar things happen in Tanzania for example. At present there are not that many breeders of these snakes, so any opportunity to get some should be taken.
