Hello All!

[sarah jane]

I am new to the page and also a new lutcispic texas rat snake owner. I was not given much information from the guy I bought it from so any help would be gratly appreciated!

He/She is 2' 2" long last measurment still eats small mice and loves to climb. I keep it about 72 in my house do I need some sort of lamp?

The aquauiriam that it is in has fake grass in bottom should I be using some other sort of bedding?

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[shaunyboy]

hello and welcome

its only carpet pythons i keep so i don't know the correct temperatures for rat snakes

i'm sure you will need a heat source and a thermostat for your hot end though

someone will come along on here that keeps rat snakes and will let you know their proper temperature requirements

snakes need their hot end at the correct temp's so it can aid food digestion

would love to see some picture's of your leucistic rat snake

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

It will also need space to hide in both the hot and cold ends of the tank, not sre about temps for rat snakes tho, sorry.

If you can let us know what size tank it is and what oyu have in there at the moment then people will be able to help you in the right direction.

[Marica]

I believe their husbandry is similar to Corns as they are both in the Rat Snake family. I think the Lucy's like it a bit cooler though, so high 70's / low 80's for a warm side. I like to use UTHs (Under-Tank Heaters) for a heat source as I find they are better at providing belly heat for digestion, but others use heat lamps with success as well, so whatever works for you. UTHs should be regulated with a thermometer and rheostat/dimmer, or a thermostat as they often get way hotter than required.

Aspen is probably the most common substrate, though you could also use newspaper or paper towel. By fake grass do you mean Astroturf/repti-carpet? Some like it, some don't - an online search should yield you more info, pros/cons.

As Rob stated, a hide at both the warm and cool side of the tank along with a water dish are musts. After that, tank decorations are personal preference, though if you've noticed that s/he likes to climb a branch would be a great addition. I like to place a branch wrapped with fake vine in all my enclosures.

And, of course, you must post pictures asap :)

[HDreptiles]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I am pretty sure that what Marica said is correct for their husbandry. A quick google search for a care sheet can confirm this.

I use heat lamps and repticarpet, and my corns have no problem with them. I also have a few vines in the enclosure as well and they do utilize them from time to time. As far as other deco goes, it is up to your taste. Good luck with your new snake. Oh yeah...... GET SOME PICS UP! We love to show off our animals here and we love to gush over other people's as well. Please do not deny us that simple pleasure.:freakedout:

[marvelfreak]

hello and welcome!

[stephanbakir]

Welcome to the forums.

[sickvenom]

marica summed it up well. also, they don't require any special humidity levels unless it has shedding issues. get rid of the turf and replace with bedding. also, uths work better than overhead heat sources and you might want to think about painting the back and sides of your aquarium. i believe it looks better and it creates more of a secure habitat for your snake.

[percey39]

Hello and welcome to the forum.