Identify this rat snake please!

hackersid · 02-10-13, 09:35 AM

Hello,

Can someone please help me identify this rat snake? which breed is this? Its around 7ft.

Also what should I feed it? I don't have access to mouse/rats as there are no reptiles shop here in Pakistan. Previous owner told me that he will eat chicks or small birds after 20 days gap.

Also, which bedding should I use? I can't find aspen shaving here.

Currently housing this snake in aquarium!

View image: IMAG1635

UwabamiReptiles · 02-10-13, 04:23 PM

I have two guesses what he could be: either a ptyas korros (indo-chinese rat snake) or ptyas mucosus (oriental rat snake). I'm leaning towards the oriental rat snake from that pic. As far as food, mice and rats would be the best diet but if you have to feed birds I would try to feed older birds. Chicks have little nutritional value and are high in fat. I would fed him more than once every twenty days. I would go with a feeding schedule of every 10-14 days since he's an adult.

For substrate I would go with aspen, cypress, or newspaper. If he's on the gravel in the pic I would change that as soon as you can. If you need something easy and simple I'd go with newspaper. Its cheap and its easier to keep clean.

I've read these guys can be a handful, just for my own curiosity, how is his temperament and behavior. I've heard they have some cool defense behaviors.

hackersid · 02-11-13, 12:52 AM

At-last someone replied. Thank you.

I am too guessing that its oriental rat snake but have my doubts.

So which bird should I feed him? I mean he can't eat any large birds like chicken etc...should I try sparrows?

Yes, I will be shifting him to newspaper substrate soon.

Well, actually I am kinda scared of him as he looks like he is going to attack but hasn't so far. I have been his owner for 2 days now so haven't handled him that much.

btw, how can we identify genders in snake? Is mine male or female?

BarelyBreathing · 02-11-13, 01:01 AM

Quail. Beautiful snake. These guys are tropical, and need a lot of humidity. A much larger enclosure with live plants would benefit it.

hackersid · 02-11-13, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Quail. Beautiful snake. These guys are tropical, and need a lot of humidity. A much larger enclosure with live plants would benefit it.

Quail? won't it be too big for him? he is not that huge in width.

Yes, I am planning to get a bigger enclosure. I don't have any idea on humidity...what should I do?

UwabamiReptiles · 02-11-13, 07:56 AM

I know here in the states we can get quail at any age. You probably wouldn't be able to give him a full grown adult quail. He does need a bigger cage, there isn't enough floor space for him. You won't be able to keep the humidity up in a cage like that. Is there any way you could build a cage? That would most likely be the easiest thing to do since there aren't any reptile shop there.

hackersid · 02-11-13, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UwabamiReptiles

I know here in the states we can get quail at any age. You probably wouldn't be able to give him a full grown adult quail. He does need a bigger cage, there isn't enough floor space for him. You won't be able to keep the humidity up in a cage like that. Is there any way you could build a cage? That would most likely be the easiest thing to do since there aren't any reptile shop there.

Well I think I can get adult quail but I think its too big for him. Quail will be larger than his width.
Yes, I am going to make 6ft enclosure. Hopefully that will solve the space issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms. Medusa

Until you get a better enclosure you can put moist towels over the top (not too close to the heat lamp) and just remist them several times a day- You want to get them pretty wet, but not running water down onto the snake. As long as you've covered a good bit of that mesh/wire it should increase the humidity. Also putting a larger water bowl in the enclosure will increase evaporation to the environment and help with humidity too.

Have you seen if any feeder companies deliver frozen items to Pakistan... I have no clue if there are any, but you can't be the only person in the area to have a need for rats.

Thank you for the towel suggest, I will implement it.

Believe me! I have looked for frozen rats but can't find any. Importing them on my own will cost me loads as 1$ = 97 PKR (My currency) so if a bag costs me around $100 including shipment - it will be like 8k in my currency, which I can't afford.

btw do these rat snakes require heat source? the previous owner told me they don't need any heat source and will do fine at room temp.

Also, he doesn't move at all in his enclosure - just hides beneath his hide all day long

CrestieKatie · 02-11-13, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackersid

Well I think I can get adult quail but I think its too big for him. Quail will be larger than his width.

For most snakes, this isn't a problem. You may be surprised by what they can cram down! And just remember, snakes have been around for millenia; if they bite off more than they can chew, so to speak, they just leave it be

Ms. Medusa · 02-11-13, 08:24 AM

Until you get a better enclosure you can put moist towels over the top (not too close to the heat lamp) and just remist them several times a day- You want to get them pretty wet, but not running water down onto the snake. As long as you've covered a good bit of that mesh/wire it should increase the humidity. Also putting a larger water bowl in the enclosure will increase evaporation to the environment and help with humidity too.

Have you seen if any feeder companies deliver frozen items to Pakistan... I have no clue if there are any, but you can't be the only person in the area to have a need for rats.

Will0W783 · 02-11-13, 10:09 AM

From the braided appearance of the scales on the tail, and the bit of face I could see in the first picture, that doesn't look like a rat snake at all to me...it looks like a Coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum).

Can you get us a better picture of the head and face?

hackersid · 02-11-13, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

From the braided appearance of the scales on the tail, and the bit of face I could see in the first picture, that doesn't look like a rat snake at all to me...it looks like a Coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum).

Can you get us a better picture of the head and face?

Lol! now I am more confused!

Will try to snap some more pictures of him!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrestieKatie

For most snakes, this isn't a problem. You may be surprised by what they can cram down! And just remember, snakes have been around for millenia; if they bite off more than they can chew, so to speak, they just leave it be

Okay! next time will try quail !

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Button quail are very small.

These are the quails that are available here.

dinosaurdammit · 02-11-13, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackersid

Lol! now I am more confused!

Will try to snap some more pictures of him!

Okay! next time will try quail !

These are the quails that are available here.

you can cut the wings off if you think the bird is too big, the wings dont have much meat and the feathers just get in the way and make it more difficult to swallow

Will0W783 · 02-11-13, 10:10 AM

Coachwhip | Trapping and Taxidermy, LLC

BarelyBreathing · 02-11-13, 12:06 PM

Button quail are very small.

hackersid · 02-11-13, 01:45 PM

Just remembered I had some pics ! These pics were taken the day I acquired the snake.