Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I am completely new to rat snakes. I have only ever had rosy boas. I was wondering what everybody thinks is the best rat snake to start out with. I want to breed them and I want a snake that will be fairly friendly. I just don't want to reach in the cage and have the snake latch onto my arm, plus my boyfriends a sissy and he's used to the rosys being so friendly. I know that rats are much larger than rosys and I know that they can have higher humidity and lower temp. ranges than rosys. It would be great if someone could tell me what the best size plastic tub would be to house an adult as well. I would also like to know who everybody thinks is a really good breeder as well. Sorry that I have so many questions, thanks for the time and cooperation.

First choice...I'd say a good 'ole red rat snake would fit your criteria best.
I'd also say a rat snake from the obsoleta complex would be a good starter animal from this group of colubrids, with the exception of the TX rat or Pantherophis o. lindheimeri. These have a reputation of being a bit nippy...and for good reason.
Baird's rat snakes are fairly hardy animals too. My favorite are the Trans-Pecos rats, but these are maybe just a tad more complex than most other North American rat snakes in regards to care. You have to watch ventilation (and often humidity) with these, and they grow more slowly.
Chinese twin-spotted rats are a good choice too, IMO.
Best of luck.

Dusty R.
Suboc.com

Thank you for the advice. I was wondering if you could give me the name of some good breeders that you may know of. Thank you again.
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Vicky Lord
1.0 boyfriends (Jeremy)
1.1 cats (Oscar, Angel)
1.1 dogs (Toto, Jesse)
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa (Herman)
1.0 Catavina Rosy Boa (George)

Vicki,

FYI...the "red ratsnake" mentioned above is a corn snake...A great first ratsnake. The black rat, grey rat, yellow rat, everglades rat, bairds and EVEN texas would be good choices. If there is any reptile show that comes to your area, I would always suggest that first. Otherwise, Kathy Love for corns, Blue Mountain, BHB ... there's lots of really great breeders out there. Browse the corn forum and this one and gather more info. The N. Am. Ratsnakes are awesome, hardy, easy to care for, usually VERY tame even if they start out nippy, and easy to breed (therefore fairly inexpensive)....You have made a good choice with this general category. Now comes the fun of narrowing it down. Again, find out if a reptile show comes to your area for maximum value and selection. I'm lucky here in Ohio to get to go to one every month if I want. Duffy

What I would suggest doing first is just a little research to narrown down exactly what kind of animal you want using a rat snake book (like Dick Bartlett's book). This would help you make an informed choice based on ease of care, docility and of course, appearance.

Once you have it narrowed down to a species, you could come on here and post something like, "Does anyone know a reputable (fill in the blank) rat snake breeder?"

And as is our custom here, we will shower you with answers. We really like to boast of our knowledge on these forums.

I still say the corn (red rat) snake is the best choice. They are generally docile, super easy to care for, easy to breed, usually inexpensive, and come in a plethora of colors and patterns (even purple!!!---check out the bloodred lavender corn).
Many people on this forum are good breeders of many types of rat snakes, including corns. However, I would say two other well known corn breeders would be Don Soderberg and Rich Zuchowski.

DR
Suboc.com

>>Hi. I am completely new to rat snakes. I have only ever had rosy boas. I was wondering what everybody thinks is the best rat snake to start out with. I want to breed them and I want a snake that will be fairly friendly. I just don't want to reach in the cage and have the snake latch onto my arm, plus my boyfriends a sissy and he's used to the rosys being so friendly. I know that rats are much larger than rosys and I know that they can have higher humidity and lower temp. ranges than rosys. It would be great if someone could tell me what the best size plastic tub would be to house an adult as well. I would also like to know who everybody thinks is a really good breeder as well. Sorry that I have so many questions, thanks for the time and cooperation.

I personally recommend the Bairds Rat Snake.
They are beautiful snakes when mature.
It is amazing to watch their transformation as they grow.
They are easy to keep. As easy as corn snakes or black rat snakes. Same basic care.
They tend to musk a little as youngsters but tame out quickly as they grow and become puppy dog tame if handled on any kind of a regular basis.
They are fairly active so they make excellent display snakes.
Did I mention they are beautiful snakes?....lol
They are inexpensive and it is rare to find a bairdi that won't eat.
My favorite "rat" snake.

.

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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

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...yellow ratsnakes were the first "big" snakes i kept as a child (i lived in sth. florida...so ive kept hundreds of them)...aside from redtails they are my favorite snakes to keep and work with i still have a male and im getting a female soon...i highly recommend you get a yearling cb yellow rat or an everglades rat....that red,orange,yellow color is awesome....they also have pink and black eyes...

Corn Snakes, Great Plains Rat Snakes and Baird's Rat Snakes are all great choices. They are not as large as Blacks, Yellows, Grays, Texas, or Everglades and they these snakes don't seem to bite as much as their larger cousins.

I keep all of the above snakes, and I think they are all great. Still I think that Bairds, Corns, and Great Plains would be the best starter Snakes.

Great Plains Rat Snake

Great looking snake! I am still working on him. Just WAY behind due to a move and a car fire.... Will get back with you soon!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"