Xenopeltis unicolor

Terrestrial burrowing-type terrarium, sealed against humidity, with deep substrate and several hides; floor length takes priority over height.

Minimum for an adult; favor a generous floor area. Provide ground-level hides at both ends (warm side and cool side) and a well-fitted lid to retain humidity. The height mainly serves to accommodate a thick layer of substrate (10-15 cm) allowing burrowing.

High, constant humidity. The substrate must stay moist at depth (never waterlogged or saturated at the surface); mist and check regularly. Dehydration is one of the main causes of mortality.

Deep (10-15 cm minimum), loose layer allowing the animal to bury itself completely; keep moist at depth. Banish dry, dusty or irritating substrates (softwood shavings such as pine/cedar). Watch for mold and replace soiled substrate to prevent scale rot.

Not essential: a nocturnal, burrowing species. Very weak UVB lighting (5-6% index) remains optional and beneficial in low doses, but must always be accompanied by shaded areas and hides; the key is a regular day/night cycle without intense lighting.

A large bowl of clean, fresh water available at all times, wide enough to let the animal submerge. Change the water often; the species is very sensitive to dehydration.

Southeast Asia: southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines. Lives in the loose, moist soils of low-altitude forests, rice paddies and forest edges.

Generalist carnivore — Small rodents (mice), amphibians, small lizards and sometimes other snakes; in captivity mainly small mice of suitable size are offered.

Often a finicky eater, especially freshly imported wild-caught animals. Feed at night, thawed prey presented with feeding tongs or placed near a hide. A young adult feeds roughly every 7-10 days; adjust according to body condition and avoid overfeeding.

Clutch 6–17 eggs/young. Clutch of 6 to 17 eggs. Breeding is rare and poorly documented in captivity; it requires a deep, moist laying substrate and high humidity. The majority of available animals come from wild capture rather than captive breeding.

• Internal and external parasitism (very common in wild-caught animals, to be treated after quarantine and veterinary fecal analysis)
• Dehydration and weight loss linked to insufficient humidity or hydration
• Chronic anorexia and feeding refusal of stress-related origin
• Dermatitis / scale rot on dirty or waterlogged substrate
• Respiratory infections in the event of unsuitable temperature or poorly balanced ventilation/humidity