Texas Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) Texas rat snakes are long, slender snakes found in a wide variety of habitats throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Kingsnakes and Milk Snakes: Species Profile, How to Care for a Central American Boa as a Pet. Pantherophis obsoletus – also known as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake – is a non-venomous species of Colubridae found in central North America.No subspecies are currently recognized. Housing: a wooden vivarium of at least 34" in length Heating: basking temperature of 90 o F, cool end of 75-80 o F Diet:carnivore with a diet comprising of frozen prey Decoration: dry substrates and decor so not to raise humidity levels An range of exotic snake species. Rat snakes are members – along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere.They feed primarily on rodents.Many species make attractive and docile pets and one, the corn snake, is one of the most popular reptile pets in the world. The humidity should be on the higher end during shedding. Black rat snakes also are susceptible to fungal and respiratory infections. However, they more commonly flee from confrontation. A water bowl large enough for your snake to fit in to allow a good soaking should be provided at all times. Other potential preys are a day old chicks, quail and occasional egg. It's not advised to take in a wild snake. Rat snakes prefer cooler temperatures than some other snakes. Poor husbandry is a major cause of illness among captive snakes. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. Our complete rat snake care guide is applicable to most North American rat snakes in the genus Pantherophis. But in captivity they will eat pre-killed prey, which is a much safer option. Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long. Aim for a thermal gradient between 75 degrees (Fahrenheit) on the cooler side and 85 degrees (F) on the warmer side. Monitor humidity with a hygrometer, and increase it with misting or a bowl of water if necessary. The body is relatively slender and somewhat laterally compressed. After getting a bite from a Black Rat Snake, you need to rinse off the wounds with fresh and clean water. Rat snakes lay … If non-venomous, treating a black snake bite is important to prevent infection, while avoiding serious illness or death often requires emergency room care to receive the proper dose of antivenin, or antivenom, for venomous bites. Given the right conditions, female black rat snakes and produce two clutches of eggs per year. Housing the Black Rat Snake . They have shiny black backs with lighter bellies and white on their throat. Rat Snake care sheet. The care of this species starts with making sure that your snakes are housed properly, fed right, and identified accordingly, not to mention the need to make sure that you have accurately gendered male and female … Article was last reviewed on 4th June 2019. They are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time in trees. Even though they are not really related to the more common rat snake varieties, the basic care of these Trans-Pecos rat snakes is somewhat similar to that of other commonly cared species. If you're using any heat lights that emit a visible white light, these should be placed on a timer or turned on and off every 10 to 12 hours to replicate the natural day-night cycle. All rights reserved. They are great for beginners due to their docile personality and simple care needs. But they involve a long-term commitment. And after the corn snake, the black rat snake is the member of this snake family that you'll most often find as a pet. Black racer snakes are nonvenomous, but suddenly sighting them could cause quite a scare. Here at Dynasty Reptiles we specialize in Ball Python morphs. This might not be legal in your area, you have no way of knowing its health history, and the animal is unlikely to thrive for very long. Because rat snakes are good climbers, maintaining an extra secure enclosure is key to keeping your snake in its home. Black rat snakes are non-venomous constrictors that feed mainly on rodents but also on frogs, lizards, birds, and eggs. Special reptile heat lights should be used to maintain these temperatures. A piece of reptile carpet also can be used. In the wild they catch and kill live rodents. Black Rat Snake Care Guide (English Edition) eBook: Guides, Specialty: Amazon.it: Kindle Store Selezione delle preferenze relative ai cookie Utilizziamo cookie e altre tecnologie simili per migliorare la tua esperienza di acquisto, per fornire i nostri servizi, per capire come i nostri clienti li utilizzano in modo da poterli migliorare e per visualizzare annunci pubblicitari. They also love soaking in water, which means that a heavy dish of … A water dish large enough to swim in is always encouraged. Successful mating will result in the female laying eggs two months later. Don’t move your snake around 24 to 48 hours after feeding unless necessary as this can cause regurgitation. The head of an eastern rat snake is wider than the neck and the rest of the body. The Black Rat Snake is also known as the Pilot Black Snake doesn’t have any venom. Find black rat snake stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. The substrate will help to maintain humidity and satisfy the snake's natural burrowing instinct. Its color variations include the Texas ratsnake. The most popular species include corn snakes, Texas rat snakes, gray rat snakes, and black rat snakes. Care Sheet – Japanese Rat Snake Scientific Name Elaphe Climacophora Naturally Occuring Variants Blotched, Striped, Albino Range Japan and Kunashir Island Size 120 to 160cm Habitat Barns, Houses and other Buildings, Forests, Rice Fields, Bamboo Thickets, … Sand is not a good substate option because the snake can inhale it, causing respiratory problems. They won't be the most cuddly pets, but they can learn to feel comfortable while being handled. Avoid using any kind of soap, as clean and fresh water is enough to do the work. Because of their appearance, size, calm temperament and ease of care, the snakes are popular as pets. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white. Their smaller size and less demanding temperature requirements compared to many other snakes make black rat snakes popular pets both among first-time snake owners and experienced handlers. However, they are not venomous and in fact are rather shy and docile. The black rat snake might be mistaken for a rattlesnake because it wrinkles up its body and freezes before striking its prey or when it feels threatened. To ensure you're getting a healthy snake, you should obtain one from a reputable reptile breeder who often charges around $50 to $100 for this species. Every five days to a week is best, with adults capable of going longer in between meals than growing snakes. All of the North American rat snakes can be kept in the same temperature ranges. If needed to move be gentle. Your email address will not be published. Usually thin, long snakes with a bit of attitude. This will give your pet plenty of room space to move around. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Ceramic heat emitters and incandescent heat light bulbs are preferred. Texas rat snakes burn a lot of energy foraging for food and therefore like to eat often. Black snakes (rat snakes) typically will ‘befriend’ these snakes during the colder months to stay warm and share dens. But in terms of their health, these snakes are prone to mouth rot, or infectious stomatitis. Unlike many other snake species who love warmer temperatures, this snake prefers a cooler temperature. Texas Rat Snake Care Sheet. And it can emit a musky odor that's intended to deter a predator. BLACK RAT SNAKE CARE GUIDE Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus Introduction The Black Rat Snake is a moderate to large sized snake which is a member of the largest family of snakes, colubrids. In the wild the snakes live for about 15 years while in captivity they can live up 30 with proper care and diet. The eastern indigo snake is a massive, black snake. Related Species. Rat snakes are hardy snakes and don't require much maintenance once their cage is set up. Be sure to thoroughly wash and dry any substrate material you plan to reuse before putting it back into your snake's enclosure. Plus, pine bark chips or aspen shavings are other materials that work well, and they can be scooped out when soiled (much like cat litter in a litter box). As the cold weather sets in, black rat snakes tend to gather in large numbers and share winter dens, with members of their own and other species. The rat snake is one of the most popular types of pet snake in America.. Feeding babies once to twice a week, juvenile once a week and adults once a week to once every two weeks. To take care of your Black Milk Snake pet, a tank that is about 24 inches in length and 16 inches in height is the recommended size. The head is distinct from the neck. In addition to the Ball Pythons, we produce a variety of reptiles such as Burmese, Woma Pythons, Blue Tegus and Colombian Boas. A lethargic snake is not a healthy snake, though some black rat snakes might try to hide if they're feeling nervous which is normal behavior. In total there are over 45 known species of rat snakes that are divided into two main categories.. Old world species are from Europe and new world species are from North America. Diet: Mostly eat rodents, lizards, birds and bird eggs. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. If you're interested in similar pets, check out: Otherwise, check out other types of reptiles and amphibians that can be your new pet. If you want to prevent them from hibernating, the enclosure will be best kept at a temperature of between 80 and 85° Fahrenheit, dropping to a minimum temperature of 70° at night. In the wild, black rat snakes spend most of their time in heavily wooded areas, so a substrate—the material on the bottom of the enclosure—that reflects this natural environment is recommended. A 30- to 40-gallon tank is suitable, though the larger (and taller) the better. Common Names: Black rat snake, western rat snake, pilot black snake, black snake. It should have clear eyes (cloudy eyes are a sign of illness) and no skin discoloration or cuts (which are potential signs of mites, ticks, or injuries). Cleaning their cage as needed and keeping their water bowl fresh will be your main duties besides feeding. These three species were often … A 30- to 40-gallon tank is suitable, though the larger (and taller) the better. 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