Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are some good "starter" European rats? Something smaller, easy to care for, and something that acts more like a N.A. rat, not a racer. Thanks!
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko "The Crested Gecko"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

Leopard Ratsnakes fit all of what you are looking for, they are not the delicate snakes that everyone thought they were back in the '80s. E. longissima are fairly docile and Ladder Ratsnakes are not the beast they have been made out to be, even though they are a bit squirmy. --Scott

Just to name a few.........

*Leopard Ratsnake
*Steppes Ratsnake(dioni)
*Twin-spotted Ratsnake(Southeastern China)
*Ladder Ratsnake
*Aesculapian Ratsnake
*Russian Ratsnake
*Mandarin Ratsnake(southeastern China)
As well as several others

please note: several of these don't make great starter snakes.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

It's hard to beat Russian Rat Snakes. They have a heck of a lot of personality and make great display animals, due to their fondness for climbing.

Tim

Third Eye

Tim,
Did you finally diversify away from the "Classic American Snake" concept, or is this an older photo?

BTW: I'll be cycling your female Okeetee for the first time this season...
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Later,
Paul E. Turley

Paul,

Yeah, I went "international." I wasn't sure how to replace my Black Rats when Ohio Division of Wildlife made it too much hassle to keep them. I've found Russians to be a good susbstitue. I've had my eye on them for quite some time and finally took the plunge. The pic is from this summer - they're now a year old.

Good luck with those corns!

Tim

Rhinechis scalaris is by far the easiest (short brumation period, very reliable feeding response), but they have quite an attitude. Zamenis hohenackeri probably is the most delicate of all European species. The other Zamenis species, Z. longissimus, Z lineatus and Z. situlus are a lot more hardy, but they regularly stop feeding in the middle of the year, only to resume a couple of months later, or not, and this can drive an inexperienced hobbyist up the wall. Zamenis situlus can sometimes be a little nasty too, perhaps even worse than Rhinechis scalaris. The most adaptable, and therefore most recommendable European species are Elaphe quatuorlineata, E. sauromates and E. dione. These are non aggressive snakes that feed comparatively well, but they do need rather long brumation periods (up to 4 months) to succesfully reproduce.

Thanks for all of the ideas. Anyone know a reputable Diones breeder?
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
0.0.2 Crested Geckos "Vinnie" & "Cadence"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"