Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up a beautiful 2 foot long, male King Rat today at a local shop.
The guy put on super heavy leather gloves to get the snake out of it's cage like he was handling radioactive waste! The snake struck and bit the glove and the guy jumped in the air with fright! I think he musked in his pants!
I then took the snake from him and free handled it and got a good musking, but the snake chilled right out and did not bite me. No problems. The guy said the snake was mean so he could work with the price to get it out of the store. I said he'd never sell this snake except to someone that was looking for a King Rat or that didn't know what the snake was about. He agreed and I asked what he could do on the price and he knocked off $50. The snake is now relaxing in his hide and I will attempt to feed him in a couple of days. I was told the snake was only given live mice so I'll have to see if he will hesitate to feed on F/T.
Beautiful snake, very rough keeled scales, and cool large Cobra like scales on his head. Hopefully I can find a female for him. I can imagine how awesome a 7 or 8 foot King Rat must be.
I'll get pictures when he settles in.

are you talking about Elaphe carinata? if so , i purchased a subadult that grew to seven feet w/in a couple of years.
if i recall, carinata likes cooler temps (mid-60s or so) and hide boxes are essential, they dont like to be handled. they do best if they are left alone. Mine accepted pre-killed mice and was eating prekilled rats as an adult.

Yes that is the snake. I got him yesterday and he ate F/T crawers with no problems. The first one off the tongs and the other 3 I just left them in his hide.
I heard they liked to be kept on the cooler side, but I figured temps in the 70's to low 80's on the warm end. 60's you say! I never kept snakes that come from that climate!
I'm going to handle this one everyday and see if he takes to it. If he stops musking that would be awesome!
Do you have pictures of that 7 footer you had?

I meant F/T CRAWLERS! LOL

temperature is up to you 70 is fine. i just remember i kept the cage on the floor where its a bit cooler. i have pics but have never posted pics on here b4 , give me time on that. glad to hear it is eating, that is the main thing. i dont know about you, but i never handled mine, carinata is a rather nervous snake.

I have him in the room with my YT Cribos and he's closer to the floor than they are so he's about 77 air temp with a warm spot.
I'll watch his progress to see if he needs any changes made, but he seems to be adjusting very well. I was told he was only offered live so I was happy to see him eat F/T right away.
He seems cautious only when approached, but once in hand he calms down after musking me!
Thank you for your response!