First Find Of The Season

Derek1 · 03-31-15, 07:13 PM

And I wasn't even out looking. About to open the front door coming home from work tonight. Happened to looked at a flower bed I am working on and there he was. A little Rat Snake. I ran in and grabbed my 5gal critter cage and coaxed him in, didn't try to handle him. I'm guessing will be a year old this year? About 8" or so long. Haven't decided if I'm going to keep him or not. I got him set up with a water dish and hide for now.

**Minkness** · 03-31-15, 07:45 PM

Nice find!

jjhill001 · 03-31-15, 08:01 PM

Any idea what kind of Rat Snake? Actually kind of looks like an anerystic (black albino) corn snake.

Derek1 · 03-31-15, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Any idea what kind of Rat Snake? Actually kind of looks like an anerystic (black albino) corn snake.

Not sure. I live 30 miles south of Dallas. I was thinking plain ole Texas Rat juvi Pantherophis obsoleta lindheimeri as their colors change. A lot like yellow belly racers I catch around here. Night and day difference from juvi to adult colors.

FWK · 03-31-15, 10:02 PM

It is a Texas Rat Snake, though technically and currently (according to genetic research by Frank T. Burbrink which seems to be the accepted classification at the moment, subject to change at any time with out warning) Texas Rat Snakes do not exist as a subspecies and it is a Pantherophis obsoletus or Western Rat Snake. I've been doing a LOT of reading on this taxonomy stuff lately and still don't have much of a grasp on it lol. I'll keep working on it. Regardless, grats on a nice Texas Rat Snake find. It is last years hatchling, its first birthday (hatchday?) will probably be sometime in late August or September. If you do decide to keep it be sure to keep us updated on its progress. These guys are typically very easy to keep and adapt to captivity well, as long as you move slowly so as not to spook it he will probably snatch a pink mouse right off the tongs the first time you offer.

Derek1 · 03-31-15, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWK

It is a Texas Rat Snake, though technically and currently (according to genetic research by Frank T. Burbrink which seems to be the accepted classification at the moment, subject to change at any time with out warning) Texas Rat Snakes do not exist as a subspecies and it is a Pantherophis obsoletus or Western Rat Snake. I've been doing a LOT of reading on this taxonomy stuff lately and still don't have much of a grasp on it lol. I'll keep working on it. Regardless, grats on a nice Texas Rat Snake find. It is last years hatchling, its first birthday (hatchday?) will probably be sometime in late August or September. If you do decide to keep it be sure to keep us updated on its progress. These guys are typically very easy to keep and adapt to captivity well, as long as you move slowly so as not to spook it he will probably snatch a pink mouse right off the tongs the first time you offer.

Great post! And against my better judgment I decided to try and feed him. He gobbled it right up!! I'm going to let him settle in for a few days and do a bit more reading up on the husbandry. Sharing any tips is appreciated.

toddnbecka · 03-31-15, 11:26 PM

Looks like a fuzzy or hopper would be a more suitable size meal for that one, or at least several pinks.

**Minkness** · 03-31-15, 11:54 PM

Look into getting some dewormer for parasites. Not sire about reptiles, but a great over the counter one is one for horses...it's a cheap kind and you can get it at TSC or a local Co-Op. I can't think of the name right this second but I know it's safe for most/all mammals...though again, not sure about reptiles so you may want to call a herp vet and just ask their opinion on it.

sharthun · 04-01-15, 07:37 PM

Great find! I'm ready for the herping season myself.

drumcrush · 04-03-15, 11:15 PM

I went out herping for about 2 hours the other day. Soooo many frogs lol

sharthun · 04-04-15, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumcrush

I went out herping for about 2 hours the other day. Soooo many frogs lol

Darn you beat me to the punch! Still havent been out yet.

Derek1 · 04-06-15, 07:49 AM

I took a walk around a pond Thursday night. Came across this nice size Diamond Back Water Snake going through a color change. This probably isn't the proper catching/holding technique, but I only had my hands. I need to buy a hook.

FWK · 04-06-15, 09:55 AM

Another nice find! Just hold it gently and move slowly, it wont bite (much) lol. Water Snakes have a mild anticoagulant in their saliva so bites will bleed a bit more than you would normally expect and they will sting a bit but no real damage will be done. Restraining them by the head is perfectly fine as long as you are gentle and support the body, as you are in that picture.

It is a Nerodia erythrogaster or Plainbelly Water Snake. This is another one that has been reclassified lately, it was Nerodia erythrogaster transversa or Blotched Water Snake but they've done away with the subspecies. I still call them Blotched, just like I still call your Western Rat Snake a Texas Rat Snake. The Water Snake you posted last year was a Diamondback, N. rhombifer.

Albert Clark · 04-06-15, 01:42 PM

Wow! Nice catch Derek! The antiparasitic treatment is Panacur. Aka, fenbendazole. You can order it from Dr. Fosters. Any w/c herp is a shoe in to be loaded with parasites. Both animals look great though. Congrats.

FWK · 04-06-15, 03:29 PM

Err, I'm hoping you're not keeping the Water Snake, he will not adapt as easily as the hatchling Texas Rat. And will most definitely carry a heavy parasite load.