Info wanted on Macleay water snake

[L3GACY]

Hey all, my name is Jon and i'm a short time reader and first time poster.

I was just wondering what information you all have about the Macleay Water snake. So obviously water snake, it comes from up north, it likes fish but there are a few things i havent been able to find without resorting to text books, something i havent invested in yet. Anyway my questions are:
How big do they grow?
Are they common in the wild?
How do they do in captivity?
Are they bred in captivity?
Is it relatively docile or will it snap at anything that comes too close?
How dangerous is mildly venomous?
Are there any good all in one reptile reference books out there?

Sorry for all the questions guys, any help would be greatly appreciated, even just a link to where i will find answers to these questions would be great.

Thanks for your time, Jon.

[waruikazi]

Originally Posted by L3GACY

Hey all, my name is Jon and i'm a short time reader and first time poster.

I was just wondering what information you all have about the Macleay Water snake. So obviously water snake, it comes from up north, it likes fish but there are a few things i havent been able to find without resorting to text books, something i havent invested in yet. Anyway my questions are:
How big do they grow?
Are they common in the wild?
How do they do in captivity?
Are they bred in captivity?
Is it relatively docile or will it snap at anything that comes too close?
How dangerous is mildly venomous?
Are there any good all in one reptile reference books out there?

Sorry for all the questions guys, any help would be greatly appreciated, even just a link to where i will find answers to these questions would be great.

Thanks for your time, Jon.

They get to absolute maximum size of 2ft
not sure how common they are. They could be quite common but they are nearly 100% aquatic so you would never see them.
I know a bloke who has had them and he found that males had a tendancy to drop dead for no apparent reason.
They really are a look but don't touch species like any colubrid.
You would need to be allergic to the venom for it to be dangerous. They are not dangerous at all IMO.
Not sure about books

Hope that helps a bit.

[slim6y]

We (stary and I) found three in a creek just up the road from me a couple of months back. They're quite cute and seemingly docile.

I remember a pic of one on here from Crystal Cascades. I think I have seen a dead one once before too... Tho, it doesn't indicate how common they are, that is all within one year... Making them the one of the most common wild snakes I have seen in Cairns!

[L3GACY]

Thanks for the fast replies guy, greatly appreciated

[mickousley]

contact david reed, reedy's reptiles .com $275

[waruikazi]

You wont find any captive bred Mcleay's either. They will all be collected from the wild.

[mickousley]

I think Greame Gow breed them one time and only the once

[L3GACY]

*Mods please delete if this is breaking the rules on the whole advertising stuff*

Mickousley: I have tracked one down - 50cm, 8 months old, $300

Is that a reasonable price to pay?

btw does anyone know the expected lifespan of these kids?

[Wrasse]

Originally Posted by waruikazi

You wont find any captive bred Mcleay's either. They will all be collected from the wild.

Blanket statement, not backed up by fact.