The silver ring snake, also known as the white snake or flower handkerchief, is a species of cobra and is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Its entire body is considered medicinal, and it has a wide range of applications. Below are the key techniques for its artificial breeding.
(1) Morphological Characteristics and Living Habits
The silver ring snake has an elliptical head and typically grows between 0.6 to 1.2 meters in length. It features distinctive white and black stripes on its back, with a milky white underbelly, upper lip, and neck. The tail is slender and elongated. These snakes are commonly found in hilly areas, near rivers, or along mountainous plains, often appearing close to human dwellings. They are nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt insects like locusts, loaches, frogs, and even other snakes. They lay eggs, usually producing between 4 to 18 per clutch. Despite being venomous, they have a small venom gland and are generally docile, moving slowly and rarely biting unless provoked.
(2) Artificial Breeding Techniques
Setting up a snake farm requires careful planning. The location should be secluded, elevated, and close to a water source. A wall of at least 2 meters high should be constructed, with the base embedded 0.5 to 0.8 meters deep and poured with concrete. The inner walls must be smooth and coated with cement, avoiding white paint to prevent excessive sunlight reflection. The farm should be arranged in a circular shape to prevent escape. It should face north-south to avoid harsh winter winds. The ground should be slightly sloped for proper drainage during heavy rains. Two levels of gates are necessary: one inside and one outside. Within the facility, snake nests, pools, gutters, feeding areas, breeding rooms, and play spaces should all be included. Planting shrubs and stacking stones can help provide shade and improve the environment.
Snake nests should be built on elevated ground, with the floor about 10 cm higher than the surrounding area. The base is made of bricks or cement, followed by a brick wall 15 cm high and 20 cm long, forming a grid system. Covering the grids with movable boards allows for observation and maintenance, while leaving a 1-meter-wide central passage. The nest itself is 1.2 meters high and 5 meters wide, with a depth of around 6 meters. A door with a gap at the bottom allows snakes to move freely, while channels on both sides connect to the feeding area. Snakes can drink water, bathe, and feed in the adjacent pool.
Pools should be located beside the nests, with a depth of 40 cm and an area of about 5 square meters. Shade is essential, so small shrubs or pergolas are used to keep the water cool year-round. A gate connects the pool to the ditch, opening at night to allow water flow. Aquatic plants and frogs can be introduced to support the ecosystem.
Feeding practices involve providing young snakes weighing around 500 grams, with a 10:1 ratio of females to males. Snakes do not overeat; they consume approximately 1-2 kilograms per year, mainly feeding on small fish, loaches, and frogs. Food is placed in the pool daily before the snakes emerge from their nests, with the amount adjusted based on consumption. About 50 grams of small loach is sufficient for 10 snakes. Catching live frogs and releasing them into the farm encourages natural hunting behavior. Dead food should be removed promptly.
During May and November, snakes require extra nutrition to prepare for breeding and hibernation. The ideal temperature range is 18–28°C, while hibernation occurs below 10°C, and freezing temperatures (below 5°C) can be fatal. In winter, insulation is crucial—covering the snake chamber with 20 cm of straw and filling the room with hay, paper scraps, and sacks helps maintain warmth.
(3) Egg Incubation
Silver ring snakes typically lay eggs from late June through early August, with peak activity in July. When females show signs of laying eggs, they should be moved to a designated breeding room. After laying, the mother snakes can return to the nests, while the eggs are collected for artificial incubation. The process involves cleaning a large container, placing it in a cool, dry room, and filling it with moist sand or slush. Eggs are laid in three layers and covered with a thin layer of damp straw. Turning the eggs once daily is essential. The optimal incubation temperature is 20–27°C with humidity between 50% and 70%, and the incubation period lasts about 42 days.
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