Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 6 yr old son found it in our back yard a couple of weeks ago. Seems to make a good pet. Eats well and does not mind being handled at all. It has yet to nip at him or me.

Its about 12-13 inche long, is grey with dark (almost black) splotches, grey mottled head color. Belly is light grey (dirty white) with darker checker board.

Try to post with pic again.

Looks like a baby black rat to me. What state was it found in?

Found in Aiken, South Carolina on March 10. Its been pretty warm here this month. Hit 86 today.

A Black Rat Snake. So, how large do Black Rats get typically?

They easily attain lengths around 6-7ft,.....the documented record length is 101 inches(8'5".........................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Or my wife will tolerate. I was hoping for something closer to corn snake size.

Well, It's really not too much bigger than a corn,...and by the time it gets even close to getting any size, you, and your wife wife will be totally comfortable with it. You will know it as that cute little dude you caught a few years ago!....Don't think it will become an uncontrolable "monster"!LOL,...know what I mean!?......I think you'll do just fine with it!..........Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

>>Or my wife will tolerate. I was hoping for something closer to corn snake size.

It'll just look likea big fat black cornsnake.....lol. They get that size, but they don't get very thick. A better idea would be to think about what size CAGE you want to end up with, and see if this guy can live in it as an adult. Most don't get too near 7'. Most, whatever that really means, only get a 1' or 1.5' or so larger than a cornsnake......and maybe a pound or less heavier than a cornsnake?

KJ
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KJUN Snakehaven

Females will be a bit smaller.
You're looking at a snake that can easily be supported as an adult doubled up on one arm or held in two hands.
Its demeanor should become even less flighty as it ages. It shouldn't be a problem at all, and a 40-gallon tank would hold it perfectly forever.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

>>Females will be a bit smaller.
>>You're looking at a snake that can easily be supported as an adult doubled up on one arm or held in two hands.
>>Its demeanor should become even less flighty as it ages. It shouldn't be a problem at all, and a 40-gallon tank would hold it perfectly forever.
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>>...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

And it is female from the pic IMHO.
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Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

Most ratsnakes that I saw in Aiken looked like the Gray Rat shown on the SREL herp program ratsnake page - www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/elaobs.htm.

Some of them were somewhat lighter than that photo. Very few in the Aiken area were very dark (black).
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

The one I have looks identical to the juvenile pic on that page.