Boaedon fuliginosus

A closed, perfectly secured terrestrial terrarium (an excellent escape artist: seals and openings must be perfectly fitted).

Indicative minimum for a male or a young female. For a large adult female, plan rather for 120 x 60 x 45 cm. Provide at least two hides (warm side and cool side), a humid hide for shedding, a few branches and a horizontal thermal gradient.

Moderate humidity. An occasional peak (humid hide or light misting) aids shedding. Avoid a constantly high humidity that promotes respiratory and skin infections.

Dry to slightly humid substrate, absorbent and allowing burrowing. Avoid resinous shavings (pine, cedar), which are toxic to reptiles. Paper makes observation easier in quarantine and with juveniles.

Not essential (nocturnal species). Weak UVB (index 5-6 %) remains beneficial and helps structure the day/night cycle; always provide hides to avoid forced exposure. Otherwise a simple 12h/12h lighting cycle is enough.

A bowl of clean water available at all times, large enough to allow the snake to soak, especially before shedding. Refresh frequently and clean to prevent bacterial proliferation.

Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly West and Central Africa. The Boaedon fuliginosus / capensis complex is undergoing taxonomic revision: precise identification to species remains difficult, but the husbandry requirements are identical and well documented.

Carnivore (rodent-eater) — Rodents (mice, then rats of suitable size)

In captivity it readily feeds on thawed rodents of appropriate size (prey width roughly equal to the widest part of the snake). In the wild it also eats lizards and small vertebrates, especially as juveniles. A voracious eater very prone to obesity: do NOT overfeed. Indicative schedule: juveniles every 5-7 days, adults one prey item every 10-14 days.

Clutch 6–15 eggs/young. A prolific species: several clutches are possible per year. Incubation of about 55-70 days at ~28 C. A cool/winter rest period (cooling) stimulates breeding. Provide a humid nest box for the gravid female.

• Obesity due to overfeeding (a very voracious species) and associated problems
• Dysecdysis (incomplete sheds) linked to insufficient humidity or hydration
• Snake mites (Ophionyssus natricis), common in imported wild specimens
• Respiratory infections in cases of excessive humidity or temperatures that are too low
• Regurgitations due to handling too soon after a meal or to inadequate temperatures