Tiger-striped neck groove snake (Rhabdophis tigrina), also known as Tiger-striped watersnake, is a species of colubrid snake in the subfamily Natricinae. It is commonly known as Wild chicken neck etc.
It has an average body length of about 0.8 meters and weighs around 200-400 grams. It has a distinct neck groove on its neck and a pair of large black spots on both sides of its head. The back is emerald green or grass green, with square black spots, and the area between the black spots on the neck and the section immediately following it is bright red. The belly is pale yellow-green. The lower lip and the sides of the neck are white.
The back of the body is emerald green or grass green, with large black and orange-red spots arranged alternately on both sides of the front section. There is a pair of large black "eight-shaped" spots on both sides of the head. The Tiger-striped neck groove snake is a snake species that is widely debated in the academic community in China. Because of its mild temperament, many scholars believe that it is non-venomous. In fact, it is a venomous snake (there have been cases of poisoning and death in individuals with allergies and it is classified as a venomous snake in Japan), but it has a mild temperament. It is more suitable to be kept as a beginner's pet venomous snake.
Chinese name: 虎斑颈槽蛇
Scientific name: Rhabdophistigrina
Also known as: Tiger-striped watersnake, Wild chicken neck, Pheasant neck, Bamboo pole green, Cock's comb snake, Wild chicken neck groove
Binomial name: Rhabdophistigrinus (Boie, 1826)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Tiger-striped neck groove snake Taiwan sub-species (scientific name: Rhabdophis tigrinus formosanus), named by Maki in 1931. It is distributed in Taiwan and other areas. The type locality of this species is Taiwan.
Tiger-striped neck groove snake mainland sub-species (scientific name: Rhabdophis tigrinus lateralis), named by Berthold in 1859. It is distributed in eastern mainland Asia and several parts of China. The type locality of this species is China.
Suggested for snake lovers to keep.
1. First, we need a snake tank of suitable size. It is better to buy a professional climbing pet tank. If not, we have to do it ourselves. Then lay newspapers in the tank and place a basin of water.
2. The tiger-striped neck groove snake likes to eat amphibians, as well as small fish and loaches. Just put them in the basin. Do not disturb the snake too much in normal times, do not handle it by hand. Change the newspaper 1-2 times a week and clean the tank for feeding.
First, oral inflammation
1. Causes: After the snakes come out of hibernation in spring, their physical condition is weak. If the humidity of the snake burrow is too high and the environmental conditions are poor, it is easy for bacteria to grow in the snake's mouth, which can lead to oral inflammation. At the same time, when snakes eat fish or rodents, they may get mouth injuries from fish bones or rodent claws, which can also cause this disease. This disease is contagious, if not treated in time, it can quickly spread to the entire snake group.
2. Symptoms: Swelling of the snake's forehead. Opening the snake's mouth, you can see that the inside is ulcerated and there is thick secretion. The snake's head is raised, the mouth is slightly open, and it cannot hold its breath.
3. Treatment: Use a degreased cotton swab to clean the purulent secretions. Then disinfect with gentian violet or boric acid solution. Then apply gentian violet solution or ice borax powder to the affected area once or twice a day for about 10 days for recovery. If the snake does not open its mouth, you can use a chopstick to open the snake's mouth for observation and treatment.
4. Disease prevention: If the humidity of the snake burrow is high, the burrow should be cleaned and disinfected by exposure to sunlight. You can also move the snake to a sunny place to naturally alleviate the snake's condition. Also, the bedding in the snake burrow should be replaced.
Second, acute pneumonia
1. Causes: The high temperature and humidity of the snake burrow, drastic changes in temperature, and poor air circulation are the main causes of snakes contracting pneumonia. Snakes with poor physical condition or those that have not recovered after giving birth are more prone to this disease. If not treated in time, it may endanger the entire group of snakes within 3-5 days, causing a large number of snake deaths. This is a highly contagious disease, and sometimes even healthy snakes are difficult to survive.
2. Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, often staying outside the burrow, even if the snake is put back in the burrow, it will crawl out. If you check the mouth, you will not see any secretions.
3. Treatment: Inject 100,000 units of penicillin into adult snakes twice a day. When injecting, the needle can be inserted into the back muscles of the snake with a slightly parallel angle to its body. Alternatively, feed the snake with 0.2 grams of erythromycin tablets three times a day. If treated timely and properly, the affected snake can recover within 8-14 days.
4. Disease prevention: Increase shading facilities in the snake farm. After removing the snakes from the burrow, rinse the burrow with a 1:1000 solution of potassium permanganate or bleach. After the burrow has cooled and dried, place the snakes back in. When the weather suddenly changes and a cold wave is approaching, take measures to block the wind and keep the snakes warm.
Third, anorexia
In addition to other diseases, the spoilage and monotony of food can cause snakes to lose their appetite. Anorexic snakes eat very little or even refuse to eat at all. Over time, this can seriously affect the snake's normal growth.
1. Treatment: For anorexic snakes, they can be fed with 5-20 ml of complex vitamin B solution daily. At the same time, feed the snake with liquid food such as eggs or fresh loach.
2. Disease prevention: The food provided should be fresh. Pay attention to diversifying the diet; postpartum snakes should be fed in a timely manner; the snake's enclosure should be spacious; at the same time, parasite removal should also be taken into consideration. Other possible diseases that snakes may have include enteritis, mold disease, tongue worm disease, stick insect disease, roundworm disease, etc. during the breeding process, observe carefully, search for relevant information, and administer appropriate treatment.
Snakes do not have much self-healing ability when it comes to diseases, so during the breeding process, it is important to monitor any changes in the snakes. If signs of illness are found, separate the sick snake from others to minimize the risk of transmission.
1. The selection of the feeding container
Raising tiger-striped neck groove snakes is relatively simple. They do not have very high environmental requirements and only need a small box. Then, lay newspaper in the box, create a hiding place for the snakes, and place a water basin.
2. The temperature for raising tiger-striped neck groove snakes
In winter, temperature is the main concern. Use a heating pad under the box for warming. It's best to place half of the box on the heating pad so that the snake can choose between hot and cold. The optimum temperature for raising tiger-striped watersnakes is 28-30 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should be controlled at 60-65%. If you are not good at keeping pets, you can purchase a reptile cage, which is simpler.
3. Feeding tiger-striped neck groove snakes
Food for tiger-striped neck groove snakes is easy to obtain. You can feed them mice or small fish like loaches. Just put the food in the water basin. Do not disturb the snakes excessively or handle them. Change the newspaper 1-2 times a week and clean the tank at the same time.
4. Daily management experience for raising tiger-striped neck groove snakes
It is more convenient to tidy up the box when raising tiger-striped neck groove snakes, as it is troublesome to clean wooden boxes due to the issue of diet. Wooden boxes are prone to mold. Tidying up the box is easier to clean. However, ventilation work must be done well. It is recommended to use kitchen paper as the liner. Don't ask why, I just raise them like this. Except for paper, it is not recommended to use any plant products. Once you use them, you will regret it.
For semi-aquatic snakes, such as the tiger-striped neck groove snake, I do not recommend using materials like corn cob or sawdust because they are prone to mold and difficult to clean. The water basin should not be too big or too small. Although it is semi-aquatic, the tiger-striped neck groove snake prefers to be active on land. It is unnecessary to have a large water basin, as the tiger-striped neck groove snake is more active and may wet the liner easily. However, the snake should be able to soak and enjoy the occasional leisure time in water and soak during shedding.
As for food choices, the tiger-striped neck groove snake prefers frogs the most and accepts fish as well. For regular feeding, it can be fed loaches, wheatfish, fish sticks, and flower fish. I recommend Lin's frog, but black-spotted frogs are also suitable. Although the tiger-striped neck groove snake will eat golden frogs, it does not particularly like them. After adaptation to a certain type of food, you can try feeding frozen food, but remember to thaw it. I usually feed it frozen frogs. The tiger-striped neck groove snake can eat toads and absorb the toxins from the toads, storing them in the neck gland. Frozen food can minimize parasite risks. Frogs are important hosts for parasites.
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