Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I have a Bairds and a Rhino ratsnake (I'm excited that he's greening up), but most of my experience is with Thayeri Kings and a few California Kings. I saw a pic of a Kunasir Island Rat and would like to find more information on keeping one as a pet. I like the pretty turquoise color of the adult in the pic I saw. Do they have special humidity or temperature requirements? Would they be happy with the same conditions my kings like? Are they fairly docile, or would holding it stress it too much? (I've heard that Mandarins hate to be handled.) I like to hold and admire my pets. My kings and the two ratsnakes I have now don't mind the attention.
Thanks for any information.
Vicky

Hi there,

The Kunashir Island Ratsnake makes a great 'pet', but they can be a little particular sometimes. First of all, they like it a little bit cooler than your average King or Corn. Just room temperature with a very modest hot spot (around 30 degrees Celsius) suits them fine. They don't really like to be handled, and they can deliver a nasty bite when you cross the line. Also, you need to keep in mind that these snakes will just stop feeding somewhere around September, and that they need to hibernate for at least four months.

BUT... these petty little things will be compensated generously by it's great looks and interesting behaviour. The Kunashir Island Ratsnake is diurnal, likes to climb a lot, therfore makes a great display animal. I'd say give it a shot.

Good luck,

Herman Bronsgeest.

I really like the KI Rats...as you can see by my sig. The thing you need to remember is that they are a northern species and like cooler temps. I keep mine in the mid 70's with no supplemental heat. If you live in a southern climate, and cant get your snakeroom to be in the mid 70's they may not be the snake for you.

They also stop eating around sept, and need a longer brumation. But personality wise, I have found mine to all be very docile. My biggest female constantly paces her cage...to the point of wearing a track in the aspen. But then I have another who stays curled around her water bowl most of the day.

All in all they are a fun snake to keep if you can meet their temp and brumation requirements and can take the "stress" of the occasional decision they make to go off food for awhile.
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5.4 Variable Kings
1.4 Kunasir Island Rats
1.1 Albino Japanese Rats
1.1 Everglades Rats
0.1 White Oak Gray Rat
0.1 Speckled King
0.1 Tarahumara Mtn King
0.1 Amelanistic Corn

Thanks for the information! I appreciate it. I think I'll get one of these cool critters.
Can you tell me how big these guys get?
Have a great day.
Vicky

I have had one for the past 2-3 years and LOVE him...he's gorgeous, but he does have one of the strongest feeding responses of any snake I own...he will literally shoot out of the open top of his tank like a jack-in-the-box to snatch a mouse off the tongs in mid-air...he strikes wildly at any movement, which can make getting him out of his tank a little dicey...I use an object (usually a coat hanger) to gently stroke him a couple of times before I reach in..this lets him know this is NOT a feeding opportunity, and he allows himself to be picked up and handled with no further problems...once convinced there are no mice in the offing he is as easy to handle as my corn snake...and everyone else is right too...he's either in full-fledged feeding mode, or not eating at all..he goes all winter hardly moving and not eating a thing...I keep him with no additional heat at all, so he's probably in the 60's for most of the winter, which seems to suit him...as far as size goes, I've heard they get to about 4-5'...mine's about 3' at the moment..the long brumations slow down growth I'm sure...hope this helps..

SR