Like the Western Hognose Snake, these snakes can be acclimatised to a diet of mice. However, a rodent diet may not be as natural for them, and the difference in fat between a rodent and a toad is considerable.
The royal python is a fairly placid snake that grows to no more than six foot and hence does not need a vast amount of living space. It is also long-lived in captivity. Its principal, and often distressing drawback, is a tendency to go on hunger strike, sometimes for months at a time. Should this happen, a variation of the diet is often necessary, even down to such things as the colour of the prey being fed. For that reason it is not suggested as a beginner's snake.
Cribos, as they are known in the US, are large and active snakes that grow between 7-10 ft long. In practice the Eastern Indigo and the Texas Indigo are both protected by law, leaving the yellow- and black-tailed cribos available to hobbyists. Apart from their size, cribos also have a reputation for being messy and aggressive. They seem to require a varied diet (not just rodents) if they are to breed. Bartlett also recommends a cage size of at least 8 x 4 ft for a pair of these snakes.
Despite the overblown reputation of the boa as a fearsome snake, rosy boas in fact grow to only about 2˝ ft. They are hardy and attractive but somewhat secretive. Hailing from the arid southern regions of North America, they require very low humidity - a possible problem in the damp climate of the UK. Bartlett suggests placing a water bowl in the cage only once every 2-3 weeks. They are easily handled and if properly housed may live up to 15 years.
These boas are keenly sought by collectors for their colours, as they come in a very varied range of reds, oranges, greys, tans and yellows. The reddest and yellowest ones normally command the highest prices. A reasonably tall cage is recommended C. hortulana, as is plenty of plant cover. Amazonians are usually snappy and not very handleable.
The "chondro" is one of the most sought-after snakes by collectors, being a truly beautiful python that normally only grows to 6-7 ft. The very variable colour of hatchlings gives way to the green of adulthood. Chondros vary in temperament but can normally be handled safely, even if a snake hook has to be used. As they are an arboreal species, height should be given priority over floor spacing in the shape and size of the cage. The biggest problem with these snakes is the breeding process, since many keepers, even experienced ones, have difficulty in getting the eggs to hatch successfully.