Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

Just wanted to ask if the Leucistic black ratsnake smaller than Texas ratsnake and any other differences ?

I love the look of the TX leucistic and thinking of getting one but recently read the black leucistic is a bit more "easy going" easier to handle and not as large .
Which is fine with me a s prefer a 55 gallon tank with climbing branches thus prefer slightly smaller.

I have never seen a leucistic black rat other than pics but looks like very similiar .

Thanks

Honestly I think that really depends on what line they are produced from. Different people seem to be doing different thigns to make leucistics..so its hard to say how any of them would standardly turn out .

I see okay I guess thats why reading a few sites havent been able to get a definate answer.
Thanks.

A friend of mine who breeds texas ratsnakes (including leucistic) once commented on them being larger than black rats. Which I thought was odd, since the largest black rat on record is bigger than the largest texas rat.

I agree that they are close enough in size that it depends on the individual animal and bloodlines. That goes for the snake's "personality" also. In general, the texas rats have a bit of a reputation for nippiness. But I also think that, with just a little patience and work, either will make a great addition to your collection.

My personal opinon is that the leucistic texas ratsnake is a better value for the dollar. This is based on my assumption that there is actually very little difference between the two and on average you will pay more for a leucistic black rat. IMHO Duffy

thanks my pic was originnaly the TX but decided to look into them . Going to go with the TX both great looking but the TX head is a bit different and slightly prefer it. Since no real difference between the two.

Thanks.

And even the nippyness isn't always the case. It really does all depend on the individual. My texas leucy is actually more mellow than my corn! Never tries to bite...will just hang out in your hand forever...calm as can be. So, it really does depend. He's a great snake...I'm maddly in love with him.

-----
**************************************
- JENN ROSE -
www.jennrose.com

0.1.0 classic corn~ "Pumpkin"
1.0.0 leucistic texas ratsnake~ "Worm"

fantastic looking snake. I was going to get one in the classifieds but think will wait till herp show this summer to handle him/her.
Not to mention thats when the babies are mostly available.
Thanks

Flat out and simple, a black rat snake is a larger snake than a texas rat. BRS's will get upwards of 7 feet full grown, texans wont get past 4-5.

However there's a huge controversy as to the legitimacy of the *true* leucistic black rat. look down on this page there's another argument on it
-----
YOU CAN LIE TO EVERYBODY BUT YOURSELF
Of course it's my opinion, I said it!
I don't have issues... I have the subscription

N. American Rat/Corn Snake Care Sheet
Information on Substrates

Yes I decided to get the Texas that was my first choice in the beggining but thought the black was "easier" going and stayed under 6 feet.
As I intend to house him/her in a 55 with some thick branches. after reading these posts I see the Texas is "best" or as you say the black rat gets bigger which again for me makes the Texas better.
thanks.

That is a good example except you forgot one important thing.... The animals are line bred and will be about as big as the founding stock. So not all of them will be large. Don says his black rats are smaller than his texans.
-----
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"

I decided to get a TX which was my first choice . You make a good point but I imagine so many variables involved and opted for the Tx.
I ofcourse dont have one yet but going to get a baby. I appreciate your help and the help of others here as this my first rat snake.
Some of these ratsnakes are amazing looking . Not just the TX leucistic but the other types to. A friend of mine has a house not far from a wildlife park in florida . His daughter has rabbits as pets dwarf dutch bunnies . He has sent me some pics of some drab gray/black colored ratsnakes some are drabbish "yellow" that he has seen by his rabbit hutches . I never knew so many colors so many types .

Sounds like you're describing a corn snake rather than a texas ratsnake (4-5 feet???). The record Texas rat is 86 in, the record black rat is 101 in. While the black rat is, on average, a little larger...I really don't think that the 4-5 foot statement does justice to the texas rat. Duffy

Texas rats reach and exceed 7'. I've seen a few that size over the years. I've caught many of both out in the wild in 11 different states and the sizes were very similar.

I have gotten some pics from people on this site and links to some sights and I agree with you but also that black rats can get as big.
I think its not written in stone sort of speak which is bigger . Some individuals of both seem to stand out size wise some dont.
Some breeders have bigger black rats some bigger Texas rats .Some say Black rat better tempermeant some disagree. I imagine no one answer . The people here know what their talking about.
I dont keep any ratsnakes though going to get a leucistic rat after deciding on one but I can tell because I do keep kings/milks different folks here have different opinions from their own experience.
A friend of mine lives not far from Glades National park in Florida and he has seen some HUGE ratsnakes that defy average size.
Thanks for the info.

I've seen some big yellows and glades myself. Gatorland had a couple that were definately 7' plus. The 2 times I went herping in South Florida I got skunked, so I can't speak for any finds. The 101" record specimen came out of Sullivan county New York. A friend of mine who herped that area many years, reported most of the ratsnakes being about 4 to 5 1/2 feet with occasional ones being over 6. That's pretty much the size ranges I've observed everywhere else I've herped.
Here's a question for everybody. How big are the ratsnakes in your area: Largest you've seen, average size range?

Posted by: Alan Garry at Wed Mar 15 20:39:23 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

I've seen some big yellows and glades myself. Gatorland had a couple that were definately 7' plus. The 2 times I went herping in South Florida I got skunked, so I can't speak for any finds. The 101" record specimen came out of Sullivan county New York. A friend of mine who herped that area many years, reported most of the ratsnakes being about 4 to 5 1/2 feet with occasional ones being over 6. That's pretty much the size ranges I've observed everywhere else I've herped.
Here's a question for everybody. How big are the ratsnakes in your area: Largest you've seen, average size range?

I had no idea ratsnakes in NY . I am new to ratsnakes as just keep kings/milks . The TX will be my first . Infact I got my latest issue of Reptile mag today and nice ratsnake article great pics to.
My friend is going to register in this forum hopefully post pics of the ratsnakes he has seen all wild rather drab but large healthy looking .