Leucistic Texas Rat Snake Care Sheet

SadisticPsycho · 11-26-04, 12:26 PM

Any of you know where I can find a good care sheet for a Leucistic Texas Rat Snake?

Thanks

dave68 · 11-26-04, 12:33 PM

Very similar care to most north american colubrids, they do get quite a bit bigger than corns or kings though, and they are usually quite a bit fiestier as well.

Dave

gonesnakee · 11-26-04, 07:25 PM

As stated pretty much the same as a Corn except that they do grow much faster & larger, thus more space & larger meals. Also they prefer it cooler than Corns do. Say 70-80 instead of 75-85. I find that mine soak a lot because the snake room is on the warm side for them in the summer especially. Also a very attentive snake & very fiesty. Bitey as heck as babies but they grow out of it. More nervous & flighty & IMHO also faster than corns. Mark

SadisticPsycho · 11-27-04, 11:19 AM

Thanks for your help.
XD

Edwin · 11-27-04, 12:22 PM

Here's one:
http://coloherp.org/cb-news/archive/...s/ratsnake.php

SadisticPsycho · 11-27-04, 12:31 PM

Oh, I have one more question,

What kind of tank does it need to be housed in? (How many gallons? Tall? Long? Both? etc)

Thanks

Edwin · 11-27-04, 12:41 PM

Hmm.. I would say the absolute minimum is a 20gal long tank (30" L x 12" W x 12 H").

SadisticPsycho · 11-27-04, 01:00 PM

Which size/gallons would you recommend?

Thanks

Edwin · 11-27-04, 01:35 PM

I keep mine in 36" L x 12" W x 6" H enclosures. I would go for more floor space than height, as they don't climb a lot.

Hope this helps.

Katt · 11-28-04, 12:44 AM

They're pretty much bomb proof!

I haven't found mine soaking, but I keep them like corns, or just about any North American colubrid.

For an adult, I wouldn't go any less than three feet in length, they are large snakes, that can easily attain 4 - 5'. They're quite active as well and will move about and use branches for climbing.

You can feed them large meals as well. They'll eat big and generally digest well with enough heat.

Don't keep them too dry as I did lose a hatchling to drying out when I first moved from Vancouver, to Saskatchewan.

If you want them tame, handle them. They will look you in the eye and spit in it! Mine will all rear up and show some teeth. Most of them settle down.

Cookie · 11-28-04, 01:29 AM

Buy yourself a 33 gallon as in no time your rat will out grow the 20 gallon i would even go bigger say atleast 55 gallon, Put lots of climbing structures especialy a branch under the lamp you will find they love to bask but are usualy nervous at first and hide alot. Provide a hide for your rat snake as well and have clean drinking water daily. if you get a 55 gallon first off you wont have 2-3 aquariums around doing nothing. Rat snakes are fast and very timid but will strike at first until calmed down don't be alarmed they are all like that!... Usualy they do well in captivity with steady meals clean water and some love... as far as enclosure goes they have free range in the wild and now are restricted to a small space atleast make that space comfy as your talking about a snake that can reach 5-7 feet yours max 5 feet i would say and a 55 gallons only 4 feet so to fully stretch out is impossible... no enclosure is to big!!!! Just do as i say and put some branches as they naturaly climb to raid bird nests etc put a kid in a park with no toys there bored in 5 mins put a jungle gym and they will play all day! try this as well 1 mouse a week for thre weeks on the fourth week give a small rat (if your snake can take it) size depending (4 foot rat no problem) or when they start swallowing mice to fast start on small rats i say mix it as there are protiens in rats not found in mice viceversa... hope any of this helps you try also looking into ordering a book from your local reptile dealers they should be able to get you one

Cookie · 11-28-04, 01:40 AM

They do climb alot!... i have a few that are in the limbs more then my atb's!!! Do a google search alot of the pictures of rat snakes the snakes is actualy climbing! I am looking at one right now that's been in a branch all day and will come down in the morning and hide until it gets dark or quiet in the house and she is actualy in shed too! your rat snake may only play at night and hide all day all depends on the snake At one time i could'nt breed rat snakes fast enough and sold them for 125$ now i am lucky to get 25$ for a texas rat or yellow rat!!! I have only a limited few left and won't part with them sold a leu, tonight actualy last one i had or seen was 3 years ago keep that snake healthy let me know if you ever want to sell it

cheers