Offtopic: Black rat/BP compared to corn

[Corvine Dragon]

Want to get another snake, but wanting something a bit larger than a corn. Have been considering a black rat or king, or a ball python. (I would love to go all out and get a redtail, because they are just so so gorgeous, but my fiance would flip out once it grew to adult size. :x)

My question, how do these other types of snakes compare to corns as far as ease of handling and care? (I know they all have the same 'needs' but I'm not entirely sure if any are more comfortable climbing or burrowing, and what type of housing I should be looking at that would be different from a corn, other than terrarium size.)
I'm looking for something in the 5-6' adult range, and would prefer a heavy bodied snake. I am very nosy and know I'll be handling him/her frequently, so would really like something as docile as a cornsnake.
Looking for experienced opinions.

 

[MegF.]

Rats and kings have similar needs to a corn and husbandry is nearly identical. Balls require warmer more humid housing and of course get larger in girth than the other two. All make good pets although personally, I've found Kings can be more prone to bite, and musk than others unless handled regularly ( I know that there's someone here who says they have never had a bad king). Balls can be picky about eating and will often go off food for no reason, sometimes for long periods. A ball is not a bad choice if you want a relatively docile large bodied snake that doesn't get super huge.

 

[Sisuitl]

There are some subspecies/races of redtails that don't get terribly big, about the same length and girth as a ball.

I have no idea on what kinds of prices you are looking at, but here is a link with a lot of good info on the different types.

http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/

 

[vanderkm]

We found ball pythons very frustrating compared with corns - especially with respect to feeding - they have extended periods (6 months) without a feeding response once they are adults. They require higher humidity and temps than corns and they also benefit from solitude - though they are not aggressive and they tolerate handling, they really are a secretive snake and do best when not handled excessively - seem to stress quite readily and stop feeding when stressed. The one nice thing about boas and pythons is the slower metabolism - much less frequent pooping - only monthly instead of weekly.

A male common boa would actually be a good choice - they are heavy bodied, calm, very tolerant snakes and males rarely get over 6-7 feet. If you want to pay a bit more a Hogg Island boa is a nice alternative - if you like pink color. The Dumerels are also smaller and once well started on feed, they are great snakes.

You might also consider the carpet pythons - though not as thick bodied as a boa, they have spectacular color - they can be a bit nippy as youngsters but condition to tolerate handling quite well as adults and they are arboreal, so make a great display snake. The Irian Jayas were our favorites.

The other ratsnakes have been similar to corns in our experience, but more active and more likely to spend time climbing and basking. Another similar option are the bull or gopher snakes - really big colubrids that are great hissers - huge voice on these guys, but very tolerant snakes - some wild albino variants in some species as well.

Kings really vary depending on the species - the larger species like california, florida or eastern kings can all be musky and bitey as babies but tame down well. We really enjoy cal kings - very curious snakes - always out cruising around and if you pick a baby that has a good personality, it will remain calm througout life as long as it is handled regularly. Albinos are, in our experience, crazier than normal cal kings.

good luck in the choice - so many species to choose from.

mary v.

 

[kimbyra]

Just get more corns! How can you resist?
My other favorite snake is my garter snake. There are similarities with husbandry except they need a huge water area (really big water bowl or something similar) and they like to eat fish and worms. My checkered garter eats pinkies most of the time though. Some types of garters will eat rodents, and some will not.

 

[Corvine Dragon]

Thanks for the replies.
The Hogg island boas look just about perfect. Gorgeous as all the red-tailed (so many have red ended tails, now that I actually know what to search for to see the different species) boas, but on the small end I'm looking for. Or a colombian. (Did I read right on the 4-6' range? I could have swore they were more like 10-11.) They do look like a bit more work than a corn, but most of it looks like setup. (humidity and temp differences mainly) Slightly worried about feeding issues.. but that doesn't seem like a good enough reason not to want one. lol

Now to find someone in the WA area who sells them, hah..
I'm wary of having a live animal shipped across country. Is it safe to have an adult snake shipped further than a couple states?

Thanks again, most helpful!

 

[Ryan23]

Hog Island boas are definately a good choice but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents on Black ratsnakes as I've kept them before.

Care wise they are no different than a corn but they do like to climb and I find them to be more active than my corns which are already pretty active. Size wise they can very quite a bit but 5ft is a pretty good average and they definately end up heavier bodied than a corn and the extra handling would be well suited to them as they'd need it to calm down a bit. I'd say if you're looking for an active snake that would do great in a fairly large naturalistic cage they would be a great choice as they'd use every inch of it. I have to admit I'm a big fan of Black snakes too so that may play a part in me promoting a Black rat, lol.

As for shipping, you should not have any trouble shipping long distances as long as the shipper knows what he's doing when packing the snake and using the proper shipping method.

 

[cka]

I have to admit I'm a big fan of Black snakes too so that may play a part in me promoting a Black rat, lol

Same here :*)

Black rats are a great "next snake". There aren't as many "morphs" to work with compared to corns, but there is a big variability amongst the amel black rats (colorwise), plus there are whitesideds, brindles, leucistics and some hypo's. There has been debate over whether or not leucistics are Texas/black rat crosses. They are very aware of their surroundings, moreso it seems then a corn is

 

[kimbyra]

There has been debate over whether or not leucistics are Texas/black rat crosses.

Is there? I'd like to know about that. I thought it was pretty clear cut.

SMR sells leucistic black rats and leucistic texas rats.
Here is what they say about their lbr's:
"Our leucistic black rat snakes are very much like the leucistic Texas rats with a few exceptions. Their heads have slightly different shape, they are more tame and in our lines, they don't get as large as our Texas leucistics."
(Everythings bigger in Texas!)

They list the texas ones as Pantherophis obsoleta lindheimeri, and the black rats as Pantherophis obsoleta obsoleta. Here are pics of the differences just for fun. The first is the black, the second is the texas.

 

[Cflaguy]

Pine Snakes

are big impressive snakes. Be wise about your choice if you go this route. It would be the tamest snake you have, or the meanest.
I have had a few Trans-Pecos Rats and they were big and docile.

 

[Corvine Dragon]

Definately going with a hogg island boa. Already have a deposit down on a still to-be-picked part of a litter. The more I read on them and see pictures, the more sure I am this is the route I want to go. I'd want to get a colombian for the same sort of look if they didn't grow to twice my size! lol

Thanks so much everyone. My next will probably be a black rat.
Not that I'm already planning!