The Dragon Snake is a unique species of snake that is very rarely seen in captivity. The species was first described in 1836 by a Danish zoologist named Johannes T. Reinhardt.
The snake has a unique appearance as well as some strange behaviors. For instance, when you attempt to pick up a Dragon Snake, they are known to stiffen their entire body.
Taxonomy
While the Dragon Snake was first described to science in 1836, we still know very little about this species. The scientific name for the Dragon Snake is Xenodermus javanicus. Xenodermus is derived from two Greek words which translate to ‘Strange Skin’.
As their name suggests, the Dragon Snake belongs to the Xenodermus genus. This is a monotypic genus, meaning that it consists of a single species. The family of snake that this species belongs to is called Xenodermidae.
This is a family of snake that consists of 5 genera. None of these snakes are commonly kept as pets. Some of the species that belong to this family include the Odd-Scaled Snakes and the Borneo Red Snake.
Description
The Dragon Snake is a relatively small species, growing to a maximum length of around 2ft. They are generally grey in colour with a white belly. They have a slender body with a very long tail. The head is also very distinct and they have large black eyes.
The most distinct feature of these snakes is the scales on their back. They have 3 rows of large keeled scales that run the length of their back. This is similar to the typical depiction of a dragons back, hence their name.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Dragon Snake is native to South-East Asia. Their range is believed to extend from Southern Myanmar to the Islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.
The can be found in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. However, little is still known about the range of these snakes. In fact, their presence in Myanmar and Thailand is based off of a single specimen found in each country in the mid-20th Century.
It is believed that these snakes prefer to live at higher altitudes ranging from 500m to 1,000m. However, they have also been found close to sea level and at even higher altitudes.
The Dragon Snake is only found in humid environments and typically lives near bodies of water such as a river or stream. They can also be found in marshes, swamps and humid forests.
While these snakes same the same geographical range as many common species such as the Blood Python, Asian Vine Snake and Cobalt Blue Tarantula, very little is still known about their own particular natural habitat.
Dragon Snakes as Pets
The Dragon Snake does not make a good pet. While these snakes are stunning and unique looking, they are very difficult to keep healthy in captivity. There are very few people who have successfully kept and bred them in captivity.
There is still a lot to learn about the care requirements for these snakes and there is no doubt that much of what we believe is correct, will change as we gain a better understanding of these incredible snakes.
This is not a species you should consider unless you have substantial experience keeping snakes with delicate care requirements. If you are looking to keep one of these snakes, we recommend doing as much research as possible before hand and have a detailed conversation with the person you are buying from about how they have been caring for the snake.
The information below is a compilation of different methods that keepers have used to successfully keep these snakes in captivity. There is no doubt that much of this information will need to be updated as we gain a better understanding of this incredible snake.
Hopefully one day we will know enough about this species so that they can successfully be kept as pets. Until then, it is best to admire them from afar.
Feeding a Dragon Snake
Feeding is another difficult aspect of Dragon Snake care. These snakes will not readily eat rodents like most other species of snakes. In the wild, they feed on aquatic species and this will need to be replicated in captivity.
These snakes can be picky eaters so it is important to find out as much as you can about the snake before purchasing it. Make sure they are eating well and find out what the current owner is feeding them.
If you cannot offer the same food source as the previous owner, you should reconsider purchasing the snake. They are known to refuse to eat if a different food source is offered.
Some keepers have had success feeding live fish such as guppies. Most of these keepers insist on feeding two guppies a week. This is done by placing the live fish in the snake’s water bowl.
An alternative to live fish is live tadpoles. This is another food source that keepers have had success with. Similar to the fish, you should aim for 2-3 tadpoles a week.
The final food source you should try is frogs. If your snake will eat frogs, you should aim for one frog every week. Some species people have had success with include common frogs, tree frogs and African Reed Frogs.
Dragon Snake Enclosure
A Dragon Snake tends to do better in a smaller sized enclosure. Many keepers have good success keeping adults in an enclosure measuring 2ft x 1ft x 1ft. You can go a little larger, but they can become stressed easily in large enclosures.
You can keep a juvenile in a small plastic storage box. These enclosures retain humidity very well and will allow your snake to feel secure. It is best to house juveniles in individual setups.
We recommend a glass enclosure over wood for adults. These snakes need high humidity, so glass works better. Ideally, the enclosure should not have a screen lid as this will allow the humidity to escape.
Hides are very important for these snakes. Dragon Snake care requirements are still being learned as these snakes are not readily available in captivity but one thing that is known is that these snakes get stressed easily. At a minimum, include at least one hide at either end of the enclosure to allow them to feel secure.
Light and Heat
As the Dragon Snake is native to the higher altitude regions of South-East Asia, they do not need to be kept at excessively hot temperatures. If fact, these snakes cannot tolerate temperatures that are too hot for an extended period of time.
These snakes do well at temperatures of around 75F. They do not need a basking spot or a large thermal gradient like many other species. You should aim for a steady temperature of around 75F with no more than a few degrees drop at the ‘cool’ side.
These snakes are very sensitive to heat so avoid drastic changes in temperature. Always use a high-quality thermostat to control your heat source to prevent potentially fatal heat spikes.
You should not use any lighting in a Dragon Snake enclosure. These snakes are sensitive to light and seem to prefer darker conditions. You should aim for a dimly lit room during the day and complete darkness at night.
Dragon Snake Humidity and Substrate
A Dragon Snake needs to be kept in high humidity. You should aim for a humidity level of 85-95%. This can be difficult to maintain and is another reason why people find it difficult to care for these snakes.
Your enclosure should be designed to maintain humidity. This will involve choosing an enclosure with little ventilation. You will also need to spray the enclosure regularly to keep the humidity levels high.
To prevent causing unnecessary stress to your snake by constantly opening the enclosure for spraying, you should consider purchasing a fogger or misting system. This equipment can be placed on a timer to automatically mist the enclosure.
Your choice of substrate is also important. You will need to aim for a substrate that retains humidity well without molding. Some good choices include Coco Fibre or Sphagnum Moss.
You want your substrate to retain moisture well, but you do not want it to be saturated or soggy. Ideally, what you are looking to do is hold enough moisture to saturate the air but keep the surface that the snake is lying on relatively dry.
Handling a Dragon Snake
A Dragon Snake is not a species that you should consider if you want a snake that you can take out and handle all the time. This snake can get easily stressed and will often refuse to eat after excessive handling.
This is a species that is best left to experienced keepers due to their very specific care requirements, difficult diet and shy nature. While stunning, they don’t even make a good display animal as they will spend most of the day hiding.