Neonate black rats are always nippy. They do calm down well in most cases with judicious handling. As with all snakes, it's useful to separate the handling contact from the feeding, so they don't develop a feeding response every time you open the cage. Black rats are very sturdy and healthy keepers as a rule -- mine is thriving at 4.5 feet. Might try handling the little guys with light gloves for a while to avoid the nips. Of course they need to begin with small pinkies after the first shed. Given the time of year, unless you are far south, it would probably be a death sentence to release them so close to the first frosts. Good luck with one of the best captive snakes of all!

[ Show Entire Thread ]