Japanese rat snake

toddnbecka · 07-10-15, 11:28 PM

I'm looking to get a young pair of Kunashir Island (Blue Phase) climacophora. From the research I've done they seem to prefer cooler temps than most North American rat snakes, but otherwise should be about the same as far as care. Anyone ever kept them, or know someone who has?

toddnbecka · 07-23-15, 12:37 AM

My new pair of babies are here, looking good and healthy. About the same size as my thayeri king pair, though the male is 5 weeks older than the female and visibly larger at this point. When I unpacked the box they were warm and active, eager to get out of the small deli cups but not flighty when handled. After giving them about 12 hours undisturbed to settle in I offered them live pinkies. They seemed a bit shy, apparently accustomed to f/t, but once they got the first ones down they were quick to take the seconds.

Pics of the female, aside from size they look the same:

Sylphie · 07-23-15, 02:28 AM

Awww sooo sweet, I really love Kunashir's <3 Good luck with them, and give me a lot of pics, haha!

toddnbecka · 08-10-15, 12:08 AM

These are some pleasantly surprising young colubrids. Quite active, and a day after eating the bulge from 2 pink mice is gone and the male was out roaming the enclosure. The smaller female just shed a couple days ago, came off in 1 piece and wasn't even rolled up like my larger (than these little ones) boas and carpet python. They don't object to being picked up and handled, and while they are typically pretty active they don't usually move quickly, try to get away, or act reluctant to maintain contact.
The thayeri kings don't seem to get excited when handled, but are always happy to return to their enclosure if given the option. These little rat snakes are very inclined to climb, and when the top is removed they want to come up out and explore. Putting them back, they will move from my hand and into the enclosure, then head for the open top again if I don't cover it quickly enough.
I read somewhere that if they aren't handled when small they'll be flighty adults. With that in mind I do pick them up when I see one actively roaming around, but I don't disturb them when they're under cover except to offer food.

Sylphie · 08-10-15, 12:38 AM

Awww they seem to be great pet snakes! They remind me one of my Russians, he's the same with handling and being reaaallly active (in good way that you described). All the best for you and the little ones!

Katt · 08-11-15, 10:43 PM

You're going to love their colour changes!

toddnbecka · 08-12-15, 12:38 AM

I know, just have to wait 2-3 years, lol. I really like their pattern now, as much as some "granite" morphs of other snakes I've seen. Great appetites, I'm wondering whether I should be feeding them small fuzzy mice instead of 2 pinkies. They're about the same length as my thayeri kings, but they have much larger mouths. While the kings seem to be stretching to their limit to swallow a larger pinky, these swallow them much faster.

Florence9 · 08-26-15, 12:56 PM

Japanese rat snakes are great fun, my friend has a pair and the male is housed in a large arboreal enclosure - he makes full use of all of the space and branches and isn't shy about sleeping in full view either

Sasha2 · 08-26-15, 01:09 PM

Those are awesome. I love ratsnakes but currently dont have any. My very first snake 30 years ago was a simple yellow ratsnake and she was a great pet. But those Japanese rats are the best, I love anything arboreal too.

**EL Ziggy** · 08-26-15, 09:14 PM

Very nice snakes.