Trimeresurus venustus

Vertical arboreal terrarium, hermetically lockable and with double security (venomous snake)

Favour height and perching volume. Provide numerous horizontal and diagonal branches, dense planting (live or artificial) for cover, as well as elevated hides and a few ledges/bark pieces recalling its limestone saxicolous habitat. Locked openings, an anti-escape system and a safety airlock are recommended. Prohibit any direct access: handle only with a hook.

High humidity but combined with good ventilation: stagnant, waterlogged air promotes respiratory infections. Allow surfaces to dry out partially between mistings. A humidity peak aids shedding.

A substrate that retains moisture while remaining airy. Avoid standing water at the bottom. A layer of leaf litter and moss reinforces the humid microclimate and the natural look.

Not essential (nocturnal species). Low-level UVB (Ferguson zone 1, ~1-2 UVI at the upper basking surface) can be beneficial if well managed, provided shaded areas and hides allow complete avoidance.

A large container of clean water permanently available, supplemented by daily misting: this species frequently drinks the droplets deposited on the foliage and branches. Renew the water regularly and avoid any stagnant humidity.

Endemic to southern Thailand, where it inhabits limestone karst formations and the associated humid forests (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Trang and Surat Thani provinces). Not listed on CITES, but protected under Thai wildlife legislation: it is essential to source captive-bred individuals. Wild-caught specimens are difficult to acclimate (stress, parasitism, food refusal) and raise ethical and legal concerns.

Carnivore (whole prey) — Lizards and geckos in juveniles; rodents (mice, young rats) in adults.

Often easier to switch over to rodents than other Trimeresurus. Thawed prey of appropriate size (diameter ≈ that of the widest part of the body). Feed every 7 to 14 days in adults, more frequently in juveniles. Avoid overfeeding: a sedentary species prone to obesity and regurgitation. All prey handling is done with a hook/long tongs.

Reproduction triggered by a mild seasonal cycle (a drop in temperatures/photoperiod and variation in humidity). Gestation of several months. Neonates are fully venomous and independent from birth: handle with a hook from day one. Breeding reserved for experienced facilities.

• Dysecdysis (incomplete sheds) linked to overly low humidity
• Respiratory infections (insufficient temperature, poor ventilation, waterlogged environment)
• Stomatitis (mouth rot)
• Dehydration and food refusal, especially in unacclimated or wild-caught individuals
• External and internal parasitoses (mites, nematodes), common in wild specimens