question about mandarin rats

[RachelS.]

What do you think about wc mandarin ratsnakes? They're cheap, but not fairly eady to take care of, I'm told. I was thinking I might get a pair as a breeding project and because I love these snakes so much. They're absolutely gorgeous, and one of my favorites out of the ratsnake group. I know these are not treated before being aquired so I'm thinking about using para-zap. It's an all natural worm and parasite "remover", and doesn't have any side-affects. Plus you can't give the animal too much, or over-dose it... Just give it as much as it'll drink. Let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks =)

[crimsonking]

Unless you're prepared to work hard and take a huge risk, I'd advise against it. I have had fair luck but many many die within 90 days. It isn't fun to watch an animal die after you've done all you can, it finally eats on its own, and appears healthy. Lots of w.c. end up this way. If you can, get c.b.

from what I heard a 5 per 100 survival rate on WC mandarins is considered good
Not my type of herping, so got a pair of CB.

[snakemann87]

how much is the pair? cause i see alot of manderins for 100ea., and i agree theyre BEAUTIFUL.

[J_Riley]

Depends if they're w/c or cb. w/c are usually pretty cheap because, as mentioned, not many make it past 90 days. A lot of them come from the Chinese food markets and have been treated like food rather than an animal.

CB mandarins are usually a good bit more expensive - I remember seeing them routinely 1.5 years ago for $650-800 USD.

[crimsonking]

You can get w.c. for as little as $50.USD (I paid from $15-$50.ea.)Cb. babies go from $250.-$400 USD. The difference in price seems to look favorable for w.c., but by the time you medicate for weeks with flagyl, panacur,and such and force feed during the acclimation period,you've started to bring cost up considerably. Then, you may NEVER get the animal to feed voluntarily! As a rule they're poor captives that generally will not ever be a "corn snake" in any of its habits. They like to hide, are easily stressed (something that is doubly frustrating when you're dealing with an animal that wants live food--only to be scared by it!) and like it a bit cooler than most. I keep mine on cypress mulch substrate and really never mess with them except to clean/water/feed. I've had my pair for a little over a year.
:Mark

[snakemann87]

hmm, never seen them up to 600, but i do see alot of captives for 150, MAYBE 200.

[Lizzy001]

any pics

[crimsonking]

Thought you'd never ask!

[crimsonking]

Here's the male.

[Lisa]

I'm hoping to get some c.b. or preaclimated w.c. with in the year. I've talked with enough people to hear that they've got a 90% fail rate in w.c. that haven't managed to acclimate. those aren't very good odds, specicaly after you factor in meds etc.