Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My question is how has the influence of the Texas Lucy on the size and temperment of the Leucistic Black Rat? Of courst this question is assuming you subscribe to the theory that the lucy Black rat is the result of Texas Lucy rat influence.

Thanks,
Miller
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1.1 Florida King
1.1 Eastern Kings
1.1 Black Milksnake
0.1 Honduran
1.1 Kankakee Bull Snakes
1.0 N. Pinesnake
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.1 Cats (Shug)

Well, this is only one breeder's opinion and it is by no means scientific, but my Leucistic 'Texas' rat snake is a bigger snake than my leucistic black rat snake. She's not longer, just bigger. It's like she has matured into an adult size faster than the black rat. She's bigger and heftier. She's also meaner. I have no trouble getting my leucistic black rats out when cleaning, but the leucistic Texas rats are a pain in the ass.

As for influencing? I have no idea which came first, leucistic black rats, or leucisitic Texas rats; and for me, it doesn't matter. Yellows, blacks, greys, Texas, Everglades, they're all the same snake, Pantherophis obsoletus. The differences in morphology and personality are environmental and geographic, just like the differences we see in the species Homo sapiens, sapiens.
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Gregg
The Corn Snake Pit

I think for the most part your animal is what you make of it. size depends on the sex of the animal, how much you feed your snake, and the conditions they are kept. I have seen gigantic black rats, but this usually comes with age. as far as temperment, usually black rats are less aggressive than texas rats, but thats not always the case. I have seen psycodic black rats. I have also heard that both leucistic subspecs have been found in the wild.

Thanks for the replies....funny thing is I forgot I posted this until I was cruising the forums tonight

Thanks again,
Miller
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1.1 Florida King
1.1 Eastern Kings
1.1 Black Milksnake
0.1 Honduran
1.1 Kankakee Bull Snakes
1.0 N. Pinesnake
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.1 Cats (Shug)