Are ratsnakes cannibalistic?

[Edwin]

I would like to know if ratsnakes are cannibalistic in nature? I have been searching the net for information but did not get a definite answer... an advice from you pros?

Thanks!!

[Andy_G]

If it's smaller, it's usually food if the snake is hungry enough.

[XxRachxX]

dont most types of snakes do it? if its smaller and tasty looking they'll probably eat it. i wouldnt call it cannabilism as such.......but i dont think they wouldnt go out just to find a tasty snake to eat, it just happens to be there...
but then again, theres that certain type of shark that eats its bros and sisters to give it a kick start? maybe some snakes do that (in the wild) when they hatch?
:zi:

[Lisa]

From what I've read, rat snakes aren't caniblistic by nature but when 2 end up with the same prey item one can eat the other.

[Katt]

Rats aren't cannibalistic as say kingsnakes, indigos, king cobras, but if the oppertunity arises they may eat a fellow snake. I think this happens in babies more than in adults.

[Edwin]

Thanks, looks like rats should not be kept together except during breeding time, as there is a small chance that one might eat another.

[The_Snake_King]

Rat snakes can be kept togehter, adults as well as babies. Last year I had a clutch of 13 black rats all together in one habitat. No problems. As long as you feed the regularly and separate them while feeding, you should have no problems.

The only instance I have ever had with one snake eating another is with some hatchling corns where the biggest one ate the smallest one. They were not from the same clutch, but hatched within hours of each other. I just wasn't paying enough attention to them while they were together as their cages were being cleaned.

[Simon R. Sansom]

Hi Edwin,
That's a good question!
I can't speak with any authority about the ophiophagous habits of Rat Snakes, but I DID own a Yellow Rat Snake years ago who would happily eat anoles any time they were "experimentally" offered to him, even though he was quite used to taking mice. So, I would imagine that a rat snake MAY prey upon another snake, if the conditions are right.

Take care,
Simon

[Edwin]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the info. I may be acquiring a pair of texas rats in the near future, and was sorta considering keeping them together, but after doing research online, I think it would be safer to keep them in separate enclosures... just in case. :)

[Xetox]

There was a good article in the Reptiles Mag last month.....talking about interbreeding and how most all rats, milks and suck are caniblistic if one is smaller than the other.

[Edwin]

Thanks for the tip, Xetox, I will go hunt down a copy.