My White Oak Grey Rat Snake.

[CosmicOwl]

Onyx is a real cutie. It looks like it could definitely be an intergrade of some sort. Where did you get it?

I also keep a 5 month old black rat snake and have noticed the lack of info due to it all being placed on corn, milk and king snakes! I love my little un though! Dont know how to add pics to this comment to show her off :-P

Yeah, I've read as much info as I can find, but I'm also learning as I go. A lot of care sheets recommend similar temps to corn snakes, but I think they might like it cooler. Also, he can handle some pretty sizable prey and is ready to eat again after 2-3 days(though I don't feed him that often). I can also already see his arboreal tendencies coming out. After he has digested, he will spend hours every night/early morning climbing.

[cbrierley74016]

I bought this 1 off a guy who takes in reptile rescues! He'd took on 2 boas so decided 2 let the baby go lol.. lucky me shes only 5month yet so a few sheds before shes all silky black but got names Onyx in prep 4 that hehe :-P but i also read they're very similar to corn snakes (which sometimes get called Red Rat Snakes) but she seems ok from the care ive learnt so far .feeding though... now that was a worry :/ i only got chance to feed her once yet, she only took about 2mins 2 swallow the rat then was frantically licking and searching - like she wanted more so i gave her another about half hour later :/ shes done 2 poops sine then (monday) and was moving around fine later that night so it that ok?? I dont want to bung her up.. or have her starving though lol

[cbrierley74016]

And, as you can see, mine also loves an early morning climb upto and chill in her 'tree'

[CosmicOwl]

Originally Posted by cbrierley74016

I bought this 1 off a guy who takes in reptile rescues! He'd took on 2 boas so decided 2 let the baby go lol.. lucky me shes only 5month yet so a few sheds before shes all silky black but got names Onyx in prep 4 that hehe :-P but i also read they're very similar to corn snakes (which sometimes get called Red Rat Snakes) but she seems ok from the care ive learnt so far .feeding though... now that was a worry :/ i only got chance to feed her once yet, she only took about 2mins 2 swallow the rat then was frantically licking and searching - like she wanted more so i gave her another about half hour later :/ shes done 2 poops sine then (monday) and was moving around fine later that night so it that ok?? I dont want to bung her up.. or have her starving though lol

I can't believe she's only 5 months old. She looks as big as most yearling rat snakes I've seen. Mine is around 6 months old and much smaller. She's very pretty either way. Honestly, I wouldn't feed more than once every 4-5 days. Otherwise you could run into problems.

[cbrierley74016]

Wow really!? I didnt read anything about a general age and colour/pattern check, just knew she defo wasnt full adult still being patterned and grey but yeah, unsure what age shes likely to be all black! Shes just reaching 25inch and having a weigh in later on ;-) but so always just feed one rat at a time and every 4-5 days rather than 2 every 7 days?

[CosmicOwl]

Originally Posted by cbrierley74016

Wow really!? I didnt read anything about a general age and colour/pattern check, just knew she defo wasnt full adult still being patterned and grey but yeah, unsure what age shes likely to be all black! Shes just reaching 25inch and having a weigh in later on ;-) but so always just feed one rat at a time and every 4-5 days rather than 2 every 7 days?

There are different opinions on the subject meal size and frequency. I just wouldn't suggest feeding more often that once every 4 days because you want the snake to be able to fully digest it's meal and you also don't want it to to get fat. One appropriately sized mouse every 4-5 days is probably fine. But if they're a little on the small side, you might want to switch to 2 every 7 days.

[poomwah]

great looking little guy :] too cute

[poomwah]

Originally Posted by cbrierley74016

I also have a baby black/grey rat snake Onyx lovely snakes.. VERY nosey! Haa

That's a baby? she's HUGE

can I sneak a pic in here too???
This is George, my white sided black rat snake, This was taken around christmas time, he was 17 months old then
and right before he shed

[cbrierley74016]

Awww well, she maybe a bit older and he just give me 5months as an approx age when i collected her! As u can see from the pic though we had a full shed a few days ago and it was 30inch/76cm long! And, you can see in the other pic.. she now looks extra beautiful

[cbrierley74016]

Hey thats a real nice snake btw! A white sided black rat snake! I havent seen 1 of those b4! Does he have the rattletail haa u can see onyx's just hangin down the side of her in pic a above lol ;-P

[poomwah]

I agree, Onyx does look extra beautiful.
George only had the rattletail once. The only time he ever struck at me. It was totally my fault, I thought he was awake, he wasn't. I spooked him, he struck toward me, then rattled his tail for a second then looked up , calmed down and wanted to come out to explore.
My yellow on the other hand, she has the rattle tail almost constantly

[CosmicOwl]

My little guy did another complete shed today. He seems to get more white with each one. If this keeps up, he'll look like the white sided rat snake before he's full grown XD

Unfortunately I am having some issues with my camera, but I'll try to get some pics tomorrow.

[cbrierley74016]

Originally Posted by poomwah

I agree, Onyx does look extra beautiful.
George only had the rattletail once. The only time he ever struck at me. It was totally my fault, I thought he was awake, he wasn't. I spooked him, he struck toward me, then rattled his tail for a second then looked up , calmed down and wanted to come out to explore.
My yellow on the other hand, she has the rattle tail almost constantly

Yeah ive only ever heard hers in the 1st couple of days settling in her new home.. i thought it was very mischevious of her hahaa.. she still never seems to keen on being taken out from her viv but tries hiding instead of warning me lately lol also i know these snakes are usually awake durin the day (and her light is set for summer day hours) but the last couple of week ive hardly seen her at all during the day!? And around 10pm she emerges from her hide for the day! Should i change my light so its on during the night or leave her to be nocturnal? Lol

[poomwah]

I'd keep her light cycle the way you have it. George goes through phases, he's usually out during the day, but he spends a lot of time out at night as well.
He's gone through several periods where you won't see him during the day for a while but would come out at night for several hours.

[KoLii]

Originally Posted by poomwah

That's a baby? she's HUGE

can I sneak a pic in here too???
This is George, my white sided black rat snake, This was taken around christmas time, he was 17 months old then
and right before he shed

Quite the dapper lad you have!