Keeping and breeding the Algerian Whipsnake Hemorrhois algirus (Jan, 1863) in captivity

Abstract

I describe the first instance off successful captive propagation of Algerian Whipsnakes (Hemorrhois algurus) in 2012–2013. In 2010–2012, a juvenile male and an adult pair were maintained separately. After two months of hibernation (October–December 2012) at 10–16 °C, the adults were introduced and subsequently housed together. The female laid six eggs on 23 March. They were incubated at 27–29 °C and one young hatched on 25 May, but died after 11 days during the first shed. The remaining eggs were dissected and found to contain dead embryos. On 1 June 2013, the female laid a second clutch of five eggs. They were incubated at 25–27 °C at night and 26–30 °C during the day. The young hatched between 3 and 15 August (exact dates unknown). After the first shed, they started to feed on small lizards, and later began to accept newborn mice.