ratsnake question

[shining apprentice]

i was at a reptile show yesterday and was really interested in a honduran rat snake, i was talking to the guy and he told me they dont like it really hot and its beter to use no heat source... this struck me as odd because of what i know of balls and corns, is this the case for all rats, just hondurans, or was he crazy.

thanks

 

[Calift]

I don't know that species specifically, but its generally a good idea to provide some sort of heat source for snakes...especially if you live in CT in the wintertime.

In the wild, snakes are better able to thermoregulate because they have access to much more space than a bin or viv.

I think I have some great links saved on rat snake care...I'll try and dig them up for you

 

[ZoologyGirl]

I'm not familiar with this species, so I can't help much in that matter. But, there are many different ratsnakes that come from all over the world so I wouldn't generalize ratsnake care. All snakes will be adapted to their environment differently, so it's quite possible it may have a lower temperature need. My black milk's for example require no extra heat when kept at proper room temperatures. Maybe someone will come along with more information related to the species you are looking at.

 

[tricksterpup]

Are you referring to Honduran Milk Snake?

 

[CaptBogart]

Ooooh, was it an Anery version? Those are really cool, but the normal colored ones are nice too! They are better known as Nightsnakes, or Mexican Rat Snakes, so that may help you find better info on them...

 

[ZoologyGirl]

are these them? (they called them mexican night snakes)
rather bizarre eyes, cool looking
http://www.splitrockreptiles.com/htm7/ratsnakes_tamaulipan.html

 

[shining apprentice]

just realized im dumb and its called a mandarin rat snake....http://www.snakespecies.info/Mandarina-Male.jpg

absolutely gorgeous snakes.

while i was holding it the guy was talking to someone who seemed really interested and was talking to him about the different areas of china that they come from and the red tipping on the scales.

 

[CaptBogart]

just realized im dumb and its called a mandarin rat snake....http://www.snakespecies.info/Mandarina-Male.jpg

absolutely gorgeous snakes.

while i was holding it the guy was talking to someone who seemed really interested and was talking to him about the different areas of china that they come from and the red tipping on the scales.

Yeah, just a whole continent off.... :grin01: The Mandarins like cooler temps, and a friend that has quite a few, says they grow at a much slower pace... I've never noticed any red tipping, but could never get past all that yellow so they never interested me...

 

[tstephe3]

Are you referring to Honduran Milk Snake?

Wondering why it sounded off a little bit. Lol

just realized im dumb and its called a mandarin rat snake....http://www.snakespecies.info/Mandarina-Male.jpg

absolutely gorgeous snakes.

while i was holding it the guy was talking to someone who seemed really interested and was talking to him about the different areas of china that they come from and the red tipping on the scales.

Ahh.. Gotcha. I definitely would love to have oone of these snakes. They are absolutely gorgeous like you said. I would have to say the only thing you should be worried about is if the are wild caught and then imported or if they are captive bred.

A friend of mine bought one because he was cheap and it never ate and ended up dying. So, you definitely have to be careful and make sure it's captive bred and they are eating properly.

 

[shining apprentice]

the guy i was talking to had 2 adults and 4 hatchlings at the show and looking back on it seemed extremely knowledable... some one asked him if they could do a trade in, he looked at the snake and told him it was wild and wouldnt take it and told him he should go back to the people he just bought it from(it had a huge scar on its head too) it was funny.... anywho, hes seems pretty reliable and was friendly with the people who i bought my corn and ball from(who have been amazing so far) so im definetly thinking about it when i go back to the show in november.

 

[shining apprentice]

sorry for souble post is there an edit option on this?

and it wasnt cheap unless you consider 200 cheap

 

[tstephe3]

Gotcha, well I would still be cautious. Definitely go back and see if he has some more. Which, my guess would be he might not. November's a ways away and enough time for him to sell them. But, if he does, I would definitely try to get a hatchling and ask him if they are guaranteed to feed. 200 sounds like what someone would charge for a captive bred mandarin rat.. Good luck