general Q's

[oscar]

there is a show coming up soon and i am really eager to add to my collection, but am undecided on exactly what i want. i can narrow down to colubrids as i am not interested in boas or pythons. at the top of my list are various corn morphs, a hondo, and a white sided ratsnake. i feel confident that, although i dont have tons of experience, the corns would be simple to care for. i dont know as much about milks and even less about rats. are hondos as skittish as i've heard and are they similar to cal kings in temperment? my cal king can be a real ******* sometimes but is getting better with each handling so i do have hope for him. what are the typical temperments for the rats? i have read Katts post that her 3 are all completely different, but are they known to be more docile or aggressive?

anything else i should think about?

[gonesnakee]

If you are already taking care of what is listed in your sig there isn't much difference in the husbandry for others "wanted". Corns of course are easier to take care of & have the most docile nature. Keep in mind that Hondos & some of the Ratsnakes will grow bigger, faster & will require more food & space than the Corns & are likely to be more aggressive possibly depending on the specimen & the species (the Ratsnakes). Milksnakes are generally skittish as babies but get better with age & are not usually aggressive compared to how some CKs are. Everything listed is just basic Colubrid care, so pick what suits ya & read up some more before doing so for the species specifics. Mark

[marisa]

I agree with Mark. You have quite a few animals there in your sig and I don't think any you mentioned would pose a huge challange for you care wise. I would simply research all of them before the show and go home with whatever one takes your fancy

Marisa

[oscar]

.... and go home with whatever one takes your fancy

one?? i can only bring home one?

thanks for the comments. what you guys said makes sense, i guess i am just reacting to us getting the gopher and the cal king at the same time and their differences in attitude. my wife wasnt too happy w/ king and wouldnt be too happy with another aggressive one.. but then again i'm the one who does 90% of the work.. she just like handling the gopher and the hognose.. lol

[vanderkm]

We find a big difference between corns, milks and kings. Corns are really easy all around - while active they tend to cling or curl in your hand, they are rarely aggressive and they come in so many moprhs that there is something that everyone will love. They are just one of the ideal pet snakes - only drawback is that they are quite nocturnal so we don't see much of our guys in a display cage setting, except during the evening.

Our kings (cal king, variable, mex mex) are much more active in the cage, visible much of the time, often basking and really cruise around a lot. They seem to enjoy exploring and climb a lot, and are confident to be out in the daytime. They are great feeders and while cal kings can be a handful with crazy temperaments and are a higher risk for biting than corns or milks, the variable and mex mex or durangos are really calm and beautiful alternative kings.

Milks really are secretive in our experience - spend a lot of time in their hides - only cruise after dark. They are crazy active as babies and try to escape by moving quickly - so can be a handful to deal with. They can be a bit nippy, but it is more just their desire to bolt away that is frustrating for people who want to hold them. They get more settled as they get over a year of age, but can be frustrating for people who want a baby snake that will nestle in their hands (like a corn will).

A lot of it is picking what you like and then going with it - so much variation among individuals even in the same species. I know you asked specifically about ratsnakes - we have only one and he is large (and thick - a lot like a gopher or bullsnake), active in his cage, completely tolerant of handling and a great feeder. Many of the best characteristics of the other species - but I think there can be a lot of variety in personality - some will just be nasty and we have limited experience with ratsnakes other than corns.

Good luck in finding something that suits you - I am sure it will end up being more than one!! They are all addictive!

mary v.

[oscar]

addictive ya say? no kidding!! lol

i may have just worked out a deal to get a white sided/licorice stick rat at the next show and the dealer also has some corns.. so i might be going there with all my purchases made. not so sure if i like that.. lol..