Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In my post below, I surprised many persons by stating that my newly arrived Texas Rat Snake allows me to handle him, and has not been foul-tempered even once since arrival.

Some forum respondents have speculated, based on his thin physique, that he may be ill or have a high parasite load, and that this may explain his temporary docility.

Others speculate that when weather gets warmer, or he fattens up, I'll see his true nature.

Okay, I agree, those are both possibilities.

Or maybe I have a very unique specimen that relates well to my, and my combination of patience and experience allow an unusual relationship that some persons (like Jane Goodall) have always demonstrated with animals.

I like to give him the benefit of the doubt and believe that he's just a terrific snake with a great personality. It happens!

I also know that one day, at least once, he will have a bad mood (like people) and will snap or bite me at least once. I'm ready, and I'll get over it and move on, constantly building trust.

Well, folks, it's now Day 7 since he arrived at his new home. He has fed twice, once on two small rats; once on two mice. Every day I handle him, and even move about the large ranch house with him wrapped around my neck, secured by both arms.

Not once has he hissed, musked nor bitten. He's as easy to handle and mellow as my Cal King that I've had for over a year! I really can't explain why, it's simply true.

(We also have a cat at this home that can open cabinets & doors.)

Today I took "Treasure" out for exercising outside to experience sunshine & breezes for the first time. Here on the West Coast, we've had unusually warm weather and days in the 60s. Our springs has begun; trees are leafing and plants are beginning to bloom. (Spring in mid February? Unbelievable!!)

Outside temperature was about 63 degrees yesterday, 60 degrees today. In the sunny spot along my south wall, sheltered from the breeze, temperatures were in the high 60s.

I held "Treasure" around my neck for awhile, basking together in the sunshine. Then I let him climb a thuja shrub for awhile, then he crawled on the ground under shrubs. Later, he climbed for awhile on the ground at the garden. He was in both war sunshine and cool shade at times.

No problem picking him up any time. No jerking, only brief, mild resistance, then compliance. I was expecting that extra Zing! energy level they often exhibit after being in sunshine, but his behavior did not change based on temperature.

He actually seems to ENJOY being caressed & massaged all over his body. We had a "zone moment" our first day, and continue to have them.

Back indoors, I placed him above the dining room table on the chandelier while I cleaned his room. For several moments he lay there contentedly, only moving his head to better posture it. Two persons were seated below having a conversation the entire time.

After 30-40 minutes out of his "room" exercising, I put him back in his biome - with a newly added mossy log from a local park. He immediately crawled under the Bonzai tree replica and remained there the rest of the afternoon.

I have not seen him climb too much yet, but he does bask at times out in the open under the basking lamp. When I move past him to & from the computer, he watches me but is not alarmed.

So far, so good! Ever forward!!

You win, snake whisperer, lol! Ameron, best of luck with your new friend. From my perspective, I liken your experience to the differences we have in viewing wildlife, on one end you have the raw, real experience, on the other end you have conditioned responses from a tamed animal. If that is your preference, more power to you, as for me, it's the call of the wild and the thrill of the chase. I enjoy a little spunk in my animals, that is why I catch my own to raise and breed. i totally understand wanting a pet, but mine are not pets, they are stock, and I watch their every move, lol. If this snake is as mellow as you say, I'd suggest renaming your title to petting the bunny! Just kiddin', man! But you gotta have a dragon to tame one!
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Todd Hughes

His spine is visible, and scales at this sides are loose. He could use more weight.

At times, I'm worried about his docility. I bought him for his spirited nature & hoped-for activity levels.

You are right, there is nothing like the wild animal. I wish that I could herp with you in south Texas and experience the wild rat snake. Fun times fifty!!!

I think that he may have had health issues at the dealer, which will almost certainly improve in time.

I plan to exercise him often, especially on shrubs, to get him more fit & toned in his muscles. Hopefully he will fill out, too.

Whether or not you've "manned" a dragon is yet to be determined, but all the hype aside, that does not look like a captive born animal. It looks, more probably, like so many wild caught animals that hit pet shops or commercial collectors, just not given the full amount of attention they need, and sold before they croak.
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That animal should have about 25% - 50% more bulk, WC or CB. I would weigh it just before feeding and, if it keeps down the meals, weigh it again in two or three months.
I'm sure from your posts it will get very good care, but, because of its thinness, I recommend getting a stool sample to a veterinarian. One fecal float does not cost much. I'm sure you know this, most parasite loads are harmless, or “balanced”, in the wild, but in captivity can snowball out of control.

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Regards, Bill McGighan

Good points about his weight. If I can find a suitable scale, I will plan to weight him.

I've had fecal samples taken at my Veterinarian previously for my Cal King; maybe it is a good idea for my rat snake.

If he were wild-caught, however, I'd expect to see more agility and speed in him, and not nearly as docile - even if ill.

Sounds like I have quite a mystery, and as some of you have pointed out, the dealer may not have been truthful with me.

But I do have a couple suggestions/concerns to make,

1. I would suggest giving the snake some time to settle in before handling it every day, usually a week to two weeks is good enough.

2. I would feed once a week and give it a couple days off from handling so as not to stress it out out during digestion.

3. I would put $100 on it that the snake was WC, if not can you tell us who the breeder is so we never buy animals from them?

4. I live in Portland and would not be taking my snakes outside yet, sure in the wild they may come out to get some sun on warm winter days but they are still able to retreat back to thier hybernaculum easily. You holding it doesn't allow that.

5. Squirrels are mean little wild critters, check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFWeldHtJgI

Again I'm glad you "rescued" this animal, snakes are very resilient if givin the chance to be. Get a fecal done, let it settle in and I'm sure you'll have a little buddy for life. Even if it gets healthy and warm (Texas warm not Portland OR) and becomes a terror I'm sure you'll still take great care of it.

Nate

All good points.

Incidentally, while I sunned outside yesterday, it was only brief, and he was wrapped around my warm neck most of the time. Ground exercising was mostly to determine his behavior at that temperature.

I'm intrigued by the possibility that he was really wild-caught, but his behavior just does not suggest that to me. Prior parasite buildup, or other minor health issue? Maybe. If so, I can deal with those appropriately.

Ameron, I know you receive a bit of hoohah at times for your views on herp keeping. Regardless, that TRat has found a great home and will do well in your care. I have seen some pretty beat up Trats and grey rats come out of the wild, and I do suspect your beast is WC. If it is CB, then it was neglected and is much better off now. Trats are hardy for sure and I am sure with a few months of good feeding will be a much bigger beastie!!

Agreed, I am good naturedly having fun with you for your writing style and anthropomorphizing of the snakes, all in good fun. I would be glad to show you the prize if you're ever in the area. Right now, we are experiencing a slightly cooler winter here, where it is subtropical, and they are not out and about, but they may be utilizing ground cover to warm up under. In winter, I mostly find them crammed inside crayfish burrows, dug down under plywood or in tree stumps/hollows. While I agree that a very large, healthy T-rat could/does/will easily take on a squirrel, yours is not ready for a fight like that. Yet. Like I've said, I've seen them in poor condition and tip top condition in the wild, and yours looks like it needs immediate attention, which I'm sure you will give. I also agree with the other posters that it needs a little time from the handling to bulk up and recoup. I betcha ten samolians in 2 or 3 months, you very well may get your wish of trying to tame the dragon. Pound for pound, I can think of no other snake besides an indigo and maybe a diamondback water snake that can deliver the goods like a healthy T-rat, juvy, sub, or adult. consistently. I'll be working on getting you some photos soon. Another thing I noticed is that the head seems to be wider than it's mid body thickness, this should be a sign that it could use some bulk, they have wide heads compared to their necks, but not necessarily compared to it's mid body width. They shouldn't appear grossly fat, but stout. And the ventral muscles will shock you when it is toned. They can scale straight up a smooth barked tree. They are also excellent swimmers, believe it or not, later it might benefit from a little hydrotherapy.
By the way this is a Calhoun county, Texas female I found many moons ago overwintering inside a discarded cash register, cell phone shot, I had more but they are gone now, high yellow from this locale with lots of red interstitial showing. She bit the carp out of me for removing her from her hide!

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Todd Hughes

Thanks!! Your insight into field experiences (like Brian Hubbs on the Cal King side) and comments about body width & such are *extremely* helpful.

This is the "gravy" that so many of us get from this forum, along with the camaraderie of other Herpers and the overall enjoyment. The information that we don't get in published books nor most Internet websites. We only get it from those with more experience.

I plan on some soaking for my snake for hydrotherapy, and I do look forward to seeing your Tex Rat photos posted once your snakes are out of brumation. I particularly enjoyed the photos of the female in the discarded cash register.

(Ironic that your sub tropical region is having a cooler winter, while my temperate region began spring in mid February.)

I would LOVE to herp with you sometime in Texas! My hiking buddy is an avid herper, too. He is retired and has a time share condo with world Mart. Maybe we can research a location in San Antonio or further south, and meet sometime later this spring?

Below is the URL link to my Flickr account. Please glance at my most recent photos and venture a guess about which region my snake seems to have originated from. (I know that it can vary greatly, and individuals can vary from locale traits.)

Based on my Internet research of snake photos of specific region, my guess is that his coloration & patterns suggest those from the SW part of their range. From Austin to the San Antonio area; maybe from even farther south towards the coast.

He's relatively light, with much pale yellow. Salmon orange (not red) tinges scales, and sporadic spots are also salmon orange. Head is not uniformly gray; it has many salmon orange spots on snout and near eyes.

Any hints or comments you can give regarding traits you've seen in specific regions will be appreciated.
Link

I can only attest for my area, they are usually more yellow with orange, much like your snake. If i had to guess, I'd say it is not an eastern or northern form but probably a southern or southwestern form, much as you have surmised.
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Todd Hughes

i also wanted to throw this out there, T-rats are one of the 5 largest snakes in my area, and are as such, needing to protect themselves from larger predatory animals. This is where I believe they develop the "attitude" or reputation they have gained, a successful ability do defend themselves from large predators with actively and repetitive striking, I've seen a video and some pics of them successfully defending themselves against red -tailed hawks, strangling the would be predator. They have raised the bar for fight in the flight or fight reactions, successfully. Bulls and indigos will use the bluff and puff up to appear larger, raise themselves up, and mock strike most of the time, diamondback rattlers do the same, but will often retreat backwards while being raised up, always looking at you until they can flee. But they are backed up with the final solution! T-rats, don't normally flee first, they stand their ground and offer a fight first, then flee. They will flee if given the opportunity, but are adamant about defending themselves. Coachwhips have the ability to stand and defend or blinding speed to withdraw, about 50-50, in my experience, and they can also raise up higher than most snakes, probably giving a ground dwelling predator a disadvantage of having to look up to attack. They can see better than any of the others and probably avoid most confrontations altogether. The death feinting as a last resort is very strange, I'd guess they are exhausted and "faint", waiting to catch their breaths for an all out haul @$$ last ditch effort.
Just some random thoughts, experiences, as to why they do what they do.
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Todd Hughes