About me  🇩🇪 🇬🇧

My name is Christos, and I have been involved in herpetoculture since 1996.

About Me

What began as a childhood fascination with reptiles has grown over the years into a true passion and an integral part of my life.

As a child, I spent every free moment exploring nature in my home country. Observing native reptiles in their natural habitats sparked my fascination with their behavior, ecology, and remarkable hunting strategies. These early experiences continue to shape my approach to reptile keeping and have inspired my commitment to providing naturalistic, species-appropriate husbandry.

My journey into herpetoculture began in 1996. Over the years, I gained experience with a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, including iguanas, basilisks, chameleons, monitor lizards, and eventually snakes. For many years, my primary focus was the captive husbandry and successful breeding of the Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis), a species that provided invaluable experience in reptile behavior, captive management, and breeding.

In 2017, my interests shifted toward saurophagous snakes—highly specialized species that feed primarily on lizards. Since then, I have dedicated myself to the husbandry, breeding, and study of these remarkable snakes, with particular attention to their natural behavior and specialized ecological requirements.

Today, this website is entirely dedicated to these fascinating species. Here I share the knowledge and experience I have gained through many years of hands-on husbandry, document my breeding projects, and provide detailed information on captive care, nutrition, enclosure design, and successful reproduction.

My goal is to share reliable, experience-based information, encourage responsible reptile keeping, and increase appreciation for these often overlooked and misunderstood snakes.

For me, animal welfare always comes first. Naturalistic husbandry, carefully designed enclosures, practical experience, and a respectful approach to every animal are the foundation of my work. I firmly believe that truly understanding a species is essential for its long-term successful care and breeding.

Saurophagous snakes are far more than a hobby—they are my passion. Through this website, I hope to share that passion with fellow reptile enthusiasts while demonstrating just how fascinating, challenging, and unique these extraordinary snakes truly are.

Thank you for visiting Rare Colubrids. I hope you enjoy exploring my animals, breeding projects, and experiences.

Frequently asked questions about our snakes

Here we answer the most important questions about the care, husbandry and breeding of our rare colubrids. You’ll find clear information to help you care for your snake properly.

  • What does “saurophagous” mean?

    The term saurophagous describes snakes that feed predominantly or exclusively on lizards in the wild. Many of these species are highly specialised and have particular requirements for housing, diet and care.

  • Are saurophagous snakes suitable for beginners?

    In most cases, no. Due to their specialized diet and, in some cases, demanding husbandry requirements, these species are better suited to experienced reptile keepers who are willing to learn about their needs in depth.


  • Can lizards-eating snakes be switched to mice?

    This varies from species to species. With patience and experience, some species can be conditioned to accept substitute foods, while others will only accept their natural prey. There is therefore no one-size-fits-all answer.



  • What temperatures and humidity levels do these snakes need?

    The requirements vary considerably depending on the species and its origin. That’s why I always try to keep the animals in conditions that closely reflect their natural habitats. I look up climate data and recreate those conditions in the terrarium.


  • What Is the Right Terrarium Size?

    There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The key factors are the snake’s size, its lifestyle (terrestrial or arboreal), its activity patterns, and a structured, naturalistic terrarium setup.


  • How often should saurophagous snakes be fed?

    That depends on the species, age, health and time of year. Juveniles generally need to be fed more often than adults.

    Lizard-eating species require a suitable lizard or gecko every 2–4 days.

  • Do you breed your animals?

    Yes. I have been keeping and breeding various snake species for many years. My goal is to raise healthy, robust offspring while always prioritizing the animals’ welfare.


  • Do you sell captive-bred animals?

    Yes, if captive-bred animals are available. You can find more information on the relevant page of my website. Animals are placed only with responsible keepers who can meet the needs of the species in question.

    Check availability

  • Can I contact you if I have any questions?

    Of course. I enjoy connecting with other reptile keepers and enthusiasts. Just use the contact form on my website. Please understand that, due to work, family and caring for my animals, I may not be able to respond to every enquiry right away.


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  • Why did you specialize in saurophagous snakes?

    After many years keeping a wide range of reptiles, including the intensive keeping and breeding of Green Tree Pythons, a new chapter began for me in 2017. I was immediately fascinated by the extraordinary biology, natural behaviour, and specialisation of saurophagous snakes. Since then, they have been at the heart of my passion for keeping reptiles.



  • Why does this website exist?

    With this website, I would like to share my experiences from nearly 30 years of keeping reptiles. It is intended as a resource for anyone interested in lizard-eating snakes, looking to learn more about their care, or hoping to connect with other reptile keepers. For me, the priorities are always proper animal welfare, naturalistic terrariums, sound expertise, and respectful treatment of the animals.



  • I have a question that hasn’t been answered here.

    No problem! Just use the contact form and send me a message. I enjoy connecting with other reptile enthusiasts and am happy to help wherever I can.



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