Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi... I saw some snakes in a pet shop today that looked like garters because of the stripes, but they were labeled corn snakes. I was told that they were eating pinks. I'd never seen a corn this color so I tried to find out what they were. While hunting I came across a picture of a Chinese two-spotted rat snake that looked a lot like them. (The picture was in the Dec 98 issue of Reptile Hobbyist). Does anyone have more pictures of the striped version to share, for comparison? Oh, and I can't retrieve photo's that are posted with that little red X in a box. Why's that?

Hope to hear from anyone soon on this. I'd love to get ones of these snakes if it's not a garter.

MissHisssss.

We just did a strand on these guys a few days ago. Follow the link, or look around May 13th.

Chinese twin-spotted ratsnakes are Elaphe bimaculata and make great pets. Beware of health problems with store bought specimens, however. You can get these CB. Imports can have parasites and/or diseases. CB snakes are usually no problem to raise on mice.
Elaphe bimaculata

Be aware that most of the snakes labelled as "Chinese corn snakes" in pet stores are O. rufodorsata not E. bimaculata. The two superficially look alot alike. In my opinion rufodorsata are much harder to care for than bimacs and generally come in in worse condition (and highly parasitized). They are very cool snakes though.
Ophidiophile Farms

Hi again.... thanks for the photo and info, but does anyone have a picture of the stripped version? Oh, and this pet shop is really just a feed store that only gets snakes locally from people so hopefully they're not imports/wild caught. I think I'll go buy one so I can take pictures of it to ID it better (once I figure out how to put photo's on this thread). They are quite attractive with those gold stripes that sorta aluminate. Probably just pinky eating garters.

Hope to hear more on these guys from ya all.
MissHisssss

So I go to check these guys out again. I find out that they came from a local breeder... who got them from Florida. The feed store owner was not sure what kind they were either till a few breeders ID'd them for him. All agreed that they were the stripped version of the Chinese two-spotted rats. One of them was small and not shedding right. It had been returned after two weeks and the customer hadn't fed it. The second one was medium sized.... very agressive... biting, squirting, etc. The third one was the largest, sweetest, best looking one... so it's now mine. I'm tickled to death to have it. Would still like to see a photo of an O. rufodorsata if there's one available... to compare.

Thanks for the other photo's sent. They are gorgeous. But why are they called two-spotted rats when they have so many spots and or stripes?

MissHisssss

By the way, just FYI there's a photo of O. (formerly E.) rufodorsata at the following link:

O. rufodorsata

Thanks for the photo. No, it's not one of those. So I guess it's the Chinese Twin spot... which reminds me... I thought they were called Chinese Two spotted rat snakes and that's why my question in a previous post. I have it straight not. What kind of environment do these Chinese critters like? Greenery and tree type things to climb on or what? I want it to feel at home.

Thanks for all the help so far,
MissHisssss.

...of the Eurasian ratsnakes. They do well in my basic setup, a ten gallon tank with a few inches of aspen bedding and a nice hide and a large water jug they can also soak in. I don't use any under cage heater, just keep the temps in the 70-80*F. range with occasional overhead lamp. I use misting fairly often too which they seem to like. Make sure you quarantine those w/c ones. They might use branches a little, but would probably be more decoration, imo.

If you could post a pic that would help us make sure we have a positive i.d.

Would love to post a picture if I knew how to get it on here. I'm totally computer lingo stupid.

Thanks so much for all the info and help. I'll probably be askin more questions in the future.

MissHisssss

This is my female. I have found them to be a hardy species. Randy W.

I agree they are hardy for a smaller snake. Mine are great eaters too. How are all your Beauty females doing? You posted pics of some very nice beauties not long ago if I remember right.

Thanks Terry,
I have Blue and Tiawan beauty eggs in the oven and one of my Mocquards is due any day now. I'm afraid my albino Mocquards are too young yet. The picture is of my Mocquards female that is due any time. Randy Whittington

beauties in my opinion. You get the great looks of the beauties in not so large a package. Aren't they small beauties? Are they less flighty? Ive heard that before. They should be in alot more collections. But, it looks like your busy taking care of that. LOL. The albino Mocquard sounds like a nice project you have Randy. Good luck. US breeders are putting down some great Asian clutches this year from what I've heard and seen.

They do stay a little smaller than blues,cavers and tiawans but not by a lot. They are just as flighty as any of them I am afraid but that is one of the things I like about the beauty snakes(they keep you on your toes). Later, Randy W.

Nice one, Randy. When are ya going to breeding her?

Thanks. She is just a yearling so I am afraid it will be a couple of years yet. Randy W.

Hello.
What is the difference between maculata and bimaculata?
Merely the shape of the tasks?

Thomas Leclercq
Sorry, my language is French

bi = two

maculata = spotted

latin...

n'cest pas?

Hello.
Thank you, it is well what I thought!
But I had a doubt because I had never seen a maculata and that one boutique close to my home sold them are saying maculata whereas it is about bimaculata!! But I wanted to be on.

Thomas