Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was interested in getting a rat snake, mainly a leucistic, I wanted some opinions on them.
Thanks Cody

The term Rat Snake encompasses a hundred or so snakes. All of these snakes have differing personalities some are biters and some are not all learn to accept you with time if you are willing to take the risk of being bitten. Corn snakes are the mellower of the Rat Snake clan and make exceptional pets.

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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

The American rat snake genera Pantherophis includes some of the best pet snakes IMHO. They don't have difficult caging and food requirements, and even with below perfect care they will usually do fine, althogh you should always do your best to provide perfect care.

Corn snakes are probably the best all around for color, morphs, size, and temperment. I really love the Panterophis obsoletus complex myself. This would include the leucistic texas rat which I have and think they are great even though they can be a little pissy at times. Mine constantly vibrate their tails but haven't tried to bite in a while. They usually calm down after they are out of their enclosures also. If they do bite it is not really that bad either.

The Obsoleta complex like Black, gray, Everglades Rats are very easy pets. They are diurnal, docile and great feeders. The only cranky North American Rat Snakes I ever saw were Texas Rats. Some of them can take a bit of work to tame. Unfortunately, it sounds like that may be the leucistic snake you are considering.

Of course, you're on the ratsnake forum...so we may be a little bit biased. But most of us will tell you that some of the ratsnakes will make your very best pets. As for a leucistic...I would not hesitate. The Texas is your more common (and therefore least expensive). And even though they have a bit of a reputation for being nippy (mine was when it was little), almost all of them will calm down very nicely for you with a little patience and regular handling. If you can get one from a breeder/dealer who would be able to let you handle it a few times before buying...even better. At the very least, try to go to a reptile show and handle some of your prospects. Choose an individual snake that you are comfortable with. I personally like to get young snakes (hatchlings or yearlings) and watch them grow. Less costly & you get the whole experience. Enjoy.
Duffy

Ratsnakes of the Pantherophis group are the best pets in the world. I've seen a lot of different species, most of the ratsnakes and kingsnakes, and nothing is as nice as a good P. guttatus. I prefer them because they're smaller and I love the possibilities. You can get any color morph of a generic corn or you can try a dozen different localities and subspecies. I'm trying design a ratsnake to my specific likings, including size, color/pattern, and even the number and size of eggs produced. Add to that a few color morphs and you have years and years of fun and admiration.

Good luck deciding..haha. TC

My male Brazos Island rat about a year ago...

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Ratsnake Haven...researching ratsnakes since 1988

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