Philodryas baroni

Tall arboreal terrarium, very well ventilated, richly furnished with horizontal/diagonal branches, vines and robust plants (bioactive possible). Secure, gap-free closure: a slender, agile and escape-prone species.

Minimum dimensions for an adult; larger is always preferable for this long, active and nervous snake. Multiplying the perches and elevated refuge areas greatly reduces stress and snout rubbing against the walls.

A moderate ambience with good ventilation to avoid stagnant air. Light misting or a more humid spot helps with water thermoregulation and shedding; increase it temporarily (65-70%) during the shed period. Avoid permanent stagnant humidity, which is conducive to respiratory and skin infections.

A free-draining substrate that holds slight humidity without becoming waterlogged. As most of the animal's life is spent up high, the priority remains the vertical setup (branches, foliage) rather than substrate depth.

Recommended for this diurnal, heliophilic snake: a linear T5 UVB tube (~5-6%) producing a UVI of about 2-3 at the basking perch, with accessible shade zones. Replace the tube according to the manufacturer's recommendations (often every 9-12 months).

A large container of clean water available at all times; renew regularly. The animal drinks readily and appreciates light misting, particularly around sheds.

Gran Chaco of South America: Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. Semi-arid to sub-humid environments of thorn savanna, scrubland and dry forest of the Chaco, where the species is essentially arboreal.

Carnivore (vertebrates) — Appropriately sized rodents, chicks/birds; lizards especially favoured by juveniles.

A very enthusiastic eater, easy to feed on thawed prey. This feeding eagerness promotes overweight: space out meals (adult: a moderate prey item roughly every 10-14 days) and offer prey of reasonable diameter. Feed preferably with tongs/long tongs, as the animal strikes quickly.

Clutch 4–10 eggs/young. Breeding is generally triggered by a winter cooling/rest period (reduced photoperiod and temperatures) followed by spring warming. Artificial incubation of the eggs at ~27-28 °C for about 60-75 days (duration varying with temperature). The neonates, long and thin, often accept lizards and then pinkies.

• Injuries to the snout and rostral appendage from rubbing against the walls ('nose rubbing'), linked to stress and an enclosure that is too small or too bare
• Respiratory infections (insufficient ventilation, stagnant humidity or too-low temperatures)
• Dysecdysis / incomplete sheds in the event of insufficient hydration or humidity
• Internal and external parasites, common in wild-caught specimens
• Overweight and regurgitation linked to overfeeding (an overly enthusiastic eater)