Leopard Rat snake care?

[lolaophidia]

I've been looking at possibly getting a pair. Any suggestions from those of you that keep them? Anything different than basic rat snake care?
Thanks!

[crimsonking]

Are you going the wc route? That's always a gamble IMO. I know of a few here that have cb and they say they are nearly as any of their other rats. Only problem one has is that his pair seems to give him babies all of one sex each year. I kinda doubt if that is a normal occcurance, but one worth mentioning ,I guess. I hope to see your situlas here in the future. Good luck!
:Mark

[lolaophidia]

I've been talking with a fellow that has a CB adult pair that he's willing to let go. I really don't think I can pass this up because I've wanted a pair for about 15 years! I'll be waiting to get them shipped till the weather warms up but I'll definitely post some pics once they get settled.

Thanks!
Lora

[snakeskin]

Are we talking about Elaphe situla here?

:) Peter

[lolaophidia]

Yep, Elaphe situla or Zamenis situla. Any specifics on care would be very helpful. I've read conflicting information- some say keep them warm and some say treat them more like Mandarins. I've got a little while before I have them shipped to set up housing for them and want to be sure my temps are correct.
Thanks!

[snakeskin]

I'll answer tomorrow or monday, It's 3 in the mornig here :) I'm off to bed

[lolaophidia]

Thanks, I appreciate the reply!

[snakeskin]

toghether with a friend I take care of 2 breeding groups of these wounderfull snakes (we have 3.12 animals)

We keep em cool, a 25 watt bult is a 3 ft cage is enough (where I live that is (Holland ;) )

In the summer we sometimes have to move the animals into plastic containers and place them into a cellar to keep them fron too high temperatures (over 29 degrees Celsius that is)

Hibernating is done in a fridge at about 10 degrees Celsius.

Neonates sometimes refuse to eat. :( we place them in forced hibernation for about 5 weeks and usually they start eating pinkies by themself without fuss..

(Beware, adults can be quite irritable, they bite :yikes:

Just give a yell if ya need to know some more

Cheers,
Peter

[lolaophidia]

Thanks Peter! Excellent information and I'll keep those things in mind. I may have more questions once I get the animals in. I definitely plan to brumate them next winter so they will hopefully breed in the spring. Sounds like you've been very successful with your group!
Lora

[skin78]

peter gets eggs every year, he had a few that have laid 4 eggs last year (quite a record!)