Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The weather is looking good for collecting in Kansas. Since the Black Ratsnake is super abundant out here and easy to collect I have been on a quest, my goal is to find a completely black individual. I think they exist but are overlooked. I have been taking the time to study each individual so as not to overlook one. I did find an all brown one that I had released but I released it where I had found it and should be able to re-locate it. I will take my camera this time and post some pictures for you Black Rat Die Hards.
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

Where in KS are you from? I am from MO. I will have to get some pics of MO rats to show you why ours are better . Good luck.
-----
0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"

Paola Ks. I just got back from flipping tins and nothing out yet. Yes lets see some pics...........Bill
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

I'd love to see a completely black black rat.

byron.d

I have as good a chance as any.

-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

Is that a photo of a Black rat from your area? Here is S.E. Virginia, we have "black" Black Rats.

I hope to see photos of your area's rats when it gets warm.

There is no need to take one from the wild. There are a few breeders out there. I think Dwight Good has them. I seem to remember that Steve_Craig posted a photo of one that he said he got from DG. I don't know DG, but I have only heard good things about his snakes. Both Dwight and Steve post here, so maybe they can give you some help.

S.E. Va. Black Rat

That is what ours look like. I got skunked yesterday and it is cold today. My largest find was 13 inder one tin. They had all come out of a packrat nest that was next to the tin. You should have seen me trying to keep all of them in my hands in an attempt to get them to the large rubbermaid I had. I would be walking with them and one would shoot out of my hands and as soon as I would re capture it another one would get loose but I did manage to get them all. Every single one of them was male. My hunch is that there was one female in the group but made a fast get away. By the way not one of them bit me!
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

You might need to do some selective breeding for that. I would suggest catching a few from your area and pairing them up this Spring. Keep the hatchlings that you think will have the most potential. That will of course involve guess work, however since all the adults in your area look similar it won't be as inconsistent as breeding animals from different areas, which is what I do. I have found you can pretty much tell which hatchling will have the darkest ventrals as adults. If a hatchling has the underside of the neck all white, and you don't start seeing any mottling until close to mid body, that will not darken. Keep the ones that have the most heavy checkering or mottling as close to the chin as possible. I have made progress with that in my breeding project, but have still not gotten solid black all the way to the first ventral. IMHO it will be a much taller order getting the chin to blacken, however you might start watching for labial makings upper and lower,( kind of like what kingsnakes have), and working with that. Anyway hope this helps.
Alan,

Yes that would be my plan if I was going to breed them but as I age I get lazy. The best I can hope for is a good hike and the hope that God did all the work for me. LOL
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

How bout some pics of those lil beauties Bill!

Hey there!

yes it is time to turn over some tins and see what is out there! I havent been out yet but am getting real ansty to find some snakes. I will keep you updated on what I findaround Johnson County area. Would love to hear of any good finds you get as well!

Take Care

Dawn