Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, never posted here, but been on the hognose forum for quite a while. A neighbor found this guy and gave him to me about a month ago(NW Florida location). He eats great, little garbage disposal, eating f/t fuzzies and med adult mice. The little bowl he is beside is about 3" in diameter, so he is a little guy. Maybe a yearling? I was thinking he was a grey rat, but he is really brown and tan. Any thoughts on exactly what he is? My real question is what is the best method for calming him down and getting him holdable?

-----
Jenea

2:3 Tricolor Hognose
2:1 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
2:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2:2 Mediterranean Geckos
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Depending on locale, it is either a gray or Gulf Hammock.
Handling should calm him a bit.
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

That is a very nice looking Gray Rat Snake (not a Gulf Hammock, they have stripes in their pattern).

If you want the snake to calm down, every day except for 48 hours after feeding, put your hand in the cage next to him and let him bite you if he feels so inclined, but when he does, don't move your hand. Do this each day until he stops striking at you. Then do the same thing only this time you want to touch him with your hand. When he is OK with this, move to the step where you loosely pick him up with your hand. I think you get the idea. Work with your snake and give him a chance to learn that you are not our to eat him.

One last thing. Most American Rat Snakes can be educated this way, and most will respond quickly. Still, there are a few that will never calm down, but give it some time. I think you will soon have a very nice little snake that will not try to bite you any more.

Gulf Hammock Rat Snake

Well you know that was my first response as well on the other thread but she didn't give exact locale specifics. I will say that NOT every GH rat will display those stripes as prominently.
At maturity they normally do.
Here's a young GH rat from.......

Gulf Hammock, FL.
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

and a gray rat from.....

Osceola Nat'l forest area.
:Mark
-----
Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

As far as I can find out, Gulf Hammocks emerge from their egg showing the stripes. When I got mine, it was less then a year old, and has not changed a bit in pattern or coloring. I don't think that Gulf Hammocks develop stripes as they age like Yellows, Bairds, or Everglades. There are one or two Gulf Hammock breeders who can correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks everyone for the responses. As for exact local, this guy was found in Pensacola FL (right near Mobile AL). I have been getting him out and once I get him out of his hide he is OK (except for a little bit of musking). Just doing it a little bit each day. Once he gets back in his cage though, he gets all defensive again. Here are some better head shots of him. I am thinking he might be a Grey X Yellow cross....what do you think?

-----
Jenea

2:3 Tricolor Hognose
2:1 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
2:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2:2 Mediterranean Geckos
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse