Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everybody! I'm fairly new to the board, but I had some questions.
I just wanted to see what you guys thought of this. I've been enamored with Subocs since I first saw them on a website a few months ago. I've never owned a snake, but i've been researching (mostly rats/corns and ball pythons) for over a year. I feel confident that i'd be able to sufficently care for a snake. I just wondered if everyone thinks that maybe I should wait to get a suboc until i've got experience with other rats, or would it be okay to get one as a first snake? (I plan on getting a CBB since I don't have any nearby supply of what they're used to getting in the wild - I want to say Kangaroo rats, but i'm not 100% sure.)
I know that the temps should be low to mid 70s on the cool side, and low to mid 80s on the warm side - correct? Also, I know that they need lots of ventilation, and that shouldn't be a problem for me. I've got a 10 gallon aquarium with a screen lid on it. I think that would work ok for a juvenile/yearling.
If you guys have any tips or hints for me, please don't hesitate to let me know. I've been to suboc.com and read up on the care for Subocs, but if you guys have any more detailed care sheets, i'd appreciate that as well.
Thank you very much!

-Suzanne

susan i understand you are just trying to learn all you can about snakes but dont make it so hard on yourself its simple you buy the snake and take care of it just like a fish or a cat or dog its pretty simple petsmart or petco has all the supplies and food you need take care

Haa, Haa, Haa, Haa, Ooooohh that hurts! stop! Haa, Haaa Haaa, Ha!
Yeah, I bet they'll give you a good deal on a 10 gallon tank w/a clip on lid, a 150 watt bulb, a lamp, some silica sand, two high domed hides, an under the tank heater, a heat rock, and a couple of nicely colored plastic plants, and a few branches. Oh yeah, and a spatula to turn the snake over with when it's done. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Phil
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Work is the curse
of the drinking class!

Yeah Phil,....I thought that was pretty funny too!..LOL!

I just loved all the lame(needless) accessories you mentioned!

Who needs any knowledge anyway?,....it's a complete waste of time, I could have just skipped down to my local Petco and got all the advice I ever needed from some pimple-faced employee(like on the Simpson's) that couldn't tell a Garter Snake from a Burmese Python. And to think I wasted 40 years learning about snakes!....hahaaahaha!

~Doug

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

Mmmmmmm.....How 'bout some ketchup? I've heard they're great with ketchup.

Sure wish someone would explain all the sarcasm here. Seemed to me Suzanne was only trying to get some legit info keeping a sub-oc. Maybe I missed something.

They are not generally a beginner snake but it sounds like you have done your homework and are planning to do it correctly so I think you would be fine with one. All the care requirements you have listed are good. Along with good ventilation I would make sure to use a real small STABLE water bowl. The combination of those two things are to keep their cage dry with low humidity. Also they need to be fed slightly smaller meals than you would generally feed other species for their size and they should not be feed to frequently either.
If you stick to those things I think you would do fine. I think it's cool to start with a more unusual species as long as cared for properly. Good luck and dont hesitate to post if you come up with anymore questions. Their are several experienced trans-pecos keepers that frequent this forum. Randy Whittington

Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it. I've pretty much got everything I need except for the snake, but i'm going to hold off on that until it gets a little warmer.
And by the way, those are some beautiful subocs you've got.

You likely won't stop with just one. They're very addictive. Just know that while most are your ordinary rats, some of them will really test your husbandry skills. They can be a bit quirky.

lol - i've heard about that. Kinda like Lay's Chips - you can't have just one. I'm okay with that, though. My want list is already pretty long.

One rule of thumb with the trans pecos.

Don't ever offer prey that's been in touch with other snakes, lizards. Assuming you have other snakes, reptiles; make sure the sub-ocs are the first ones that get housekeeping, water change, or whatever. Feed in a separate container to avoid getting substrata in their mouths.

Mike

Ok, thank you for that info. Would you mind my asking why? is it parasites/disease, low immune system, or are they just really picky snakes?
I plan on using a small sterilite tub to feed in. They're fairly cheap and easy to work with.

I've not heard this before. Please explain.
Thanks
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Austin Herp. Soc.

They are (IMO) very susceptible to bacterial infections, etc. Don't know why, they just are.

They're in the rat snake genus, but you never mix them in with other rat species; corns, yellows, bairds, etc. Never exchange/trade pecos for breeding purposes, unless you quarantine them for at least 6 mos. before introducing them. This is just the way of the Pecos.

I've been breeding them since the mid-70's. Started with wild caught since no cb available. Learned some valuable lessons along the way. Nothing is foolproof or set in stone, but why take chances.

Mike

>>... I've got a 10 gallon aquarium with a screen lid on it. I think that would work ok for a juvenile/yearling...

I my experience using a 10-gal w/a screen lid for a small snake is NOT a good idea. This setup is NOT escape-proof. You don't want to be one of the all-too-many posting "Help! MY Snake Escaped!" threads.

The steralite container you mentioned above is a much better idea for juvies and yearlings.

Enjoy your Subocs!

John
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I am so not lesdysxic!

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