Spilotes Pullatus -- Tiger Rat Snake

[MKeim1989]

Hi all! I don't get around to posting as much as I'd like on this forum but I figured I'd bring up a topic I've yet to see discussed.

I'm absolutely gaga over the Tiger Rat Snake. I have been ever since I saw my first specimen at the zoo about three years ago. You don't find many captive bred spilotes for sale and, from my understanding, its next to unheard of to come across them in the U.S. I know I personally have only seen them once at a show in Cleveland, OH, but I don't get out of state much

At any rate, I'm just curious to hear what other folk think of this beautiful animal. Anybody have one in their care? Has anyone had the pleasure of working with this animal? Let me hear your thoughts!



(The snake is not mine. Just an image from Wikipedia.)

[StudentoReptile]

Don't know much about care, but I still think they are one of South America's most beautiful colubrids.

[Will0W783]

I have a LTC female Spilotes. Like you said, they're really hard to find CBB. Stormy, my girl, was acclimated by a herp vet so she's very healthy. I've had her for almost 3 years and I can say she's my favorite non-venomous snake.

They are very fast and very intelligent. Other than my cobra, she is the only snake I've ever felt was thinking about things before she did them...I remember once I was holding her and she looked at my arm, then my face, then my arm, face again, and bit my arm! It was like she thought about it (don't know if this is true or not though).
She's very active and very cage defensive...she's whacked me a number of times during feedings, but she's handleable once out of the cage and very beautiful.

I highly recommend this species to anyone who has the space and patience.

[Roman]

Hi,

I keep three Spilotes pullatus.

Sorry, right now I don' t have much time - my running group is waiting for me :-)

But I already wrote a little something about them

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...-pullatus.html

here is something from Jason Hood and me

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...-spilotes.html

some newer photos over here

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclo...shut-up-5.html

and here

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ve-seen-2.html

Enjoy the reading... :-)

If you have any questions, ask right away

Roman

[sweatshirt]

What a beautiful snake! I hope you find the info you're looking for (:

[MKeim1989]

I've never spoken with anyone who didn't find them stunning and the consensus I've gotten from everyone is that they're extremely intelligent. I'm hoping to find a pair next year sometime after I move into a bigger place - but that's a dream for another day!