chinese cornsnake???

[vincenzo]

just got back from the local pet store and i saw i chinese cornsnake . does anyone know anything about them?? if they are really a cornsnake?? thanks in advance
vince

[Andy_G]

I have heard of a chinese king rat snake but not a chinese corn snake.

[vanderkm]

What is usually sold as a Chinese cornsnake is a Chinese ratsnake - E. rufodorsata - at least that is what has been offered in pet stores around here. They are small, olive green and yellow striped with an arrowhead marking on the head and behaviorally are more like a garter snake than corns. They prefer fish and amphibians as prey and are live bearers. Typically wild caught, don't know that anyone is breeding them, and parasites would be a concern. We were considering getting one a long time ago, but the store wouldn't sell til they were feeding and we couldn't convince them to try offering fish.

Mary v

[Vanan]

Incidentally the ones I got a few years ago, took pinks aggressively. I did lose em after a few months for what seemed like no reason, but back then I had no clue about WC snakes and how to treat them. Maybe it was just me.

[Tim and Julie B]

The Chinese rat snakes most commonly sold as chinese corns are in fact garder snakes,not rat snakes. They eat fish and some insects but will almost never take rodents. We had a pair and they are not easy too easy to keep. Temps and humidity must be almost perfect and it's not too well documented as to what the specifics are for this species. I don't know if the one you've seen is the "chinese garder snake"or not but it sure sounds like it. Does it have patterning similar to most garders?

[Tim and Julie B]

Sorry everyone just got back. Juliie was right in her description of the Chinese rat or Chinese garter snake (Elaphe rufodorsata). But a Chinese "corn" snake is a term reserved for Elaphe bimaculata or twin spotted Rat snake. It rarely exceeds 39 in. It is usually tan or yellowish background. With two rows of angular spots. They are easily confused and some color variations are similar to rufodorsata. Many people are breeding color variations in the USA. They are similar to corns in that they can have a variaty of colors and patterns. I am not saying that the species at the pet store is not a rufodorsata it probably is but the comman name of Chinese corn is supposed to represent Elaphe bimaculata. Look up as many pics on the internet as you can. They are easily distingushed after you see enough examples. Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you need more info.-Tim

[vincenzo]

i asked some questions at the petstore and they are feeding it live goldfish and therefore my interest in purchasing the snake disappeared.

[Tim and Julie B]

Then it is probably a rufodorsata. But if it does turn out to be a bimaculata it is a good find. I still suggest looking at some pics in case.-Tim