I'm the guy who got the first Tex Rat male that died of internal problems. The replacement male is 6 feet long, and has been in his new home now for 2 months.
1) I wish to express thanks for the Patience shown to me during my earlier posts. I'm new to rat snake behavior & species, and some of my theories & comments have been quite controversial. (I prefer naturalistic setups, frequent handling and live feeding.)
2) I wish to express thanks for the Insight shown to me while I was researching which species to get (my preference was Baird's vs. Texas). My theory was that the individual behavior and home environment & handling techniques are more important than species.
A particularly helpful comment from Antelope297Todd was: "I feel that with enough handling and all else being equal, a c.b. T-rat could be just as tractable as any North American rat snake.
I took a chance on a species with a mean reputation, and in a twist of fate got a 6-foot male that had a bad reputation among pet store staff, not the 4-foot male that I wanted to start with. What I've discovered has confirmed some theories and taught me some additional insight about snakes.
The male came to me with a reputation as a biter, and he had scars or scale anomalies from minor injuries. (From slamming against a metal rack when being handled at the pet store? Got caught in a closing door once?) He also encountered at least 2 jet flights and being driven around in a Fed Ex truck before arrival at my home, so he was quite shaken & humble when picked out of his shipping sack.
In training, I've regarded him as a Serpent, not a Snake. I think of him like a big dog or horse: knowing that he likely won't harm me and that his behavior should be predictable, but that he can do great harm if angered or frightened. (I keep in mind the many comments from experienced herpers that Tex Rats can never quite be trusted.)
I handle daily, and sometimes place him in my closet shelf when cleaning his vivarium. He lives in a 55-gallon glass enclosure, screen top, hide den & soak pool, 7 climbing branches.
When placed somewhere, he tends to stay there for awhile. He does not tend to flight as readily as a Kingsnake or Milk snake. He also shows less tendency to burrow and hide UNDER things; he tends more to climb upward and INTO things.
He only lightly musked for the first few days. Only at times when he is startled does he tail rattle (cat gets too close, I surprise him by moving something on the shelf). He has never bitten, nor even gaped! I'm also learning that his loud exhaling sound is not necessarily a hiss, and that he is not necessarily upset. He just sometimes breaths heavily, especially when active or exasperated. He's a very large snake.
He seems to enjoy riding on my shoulders VERY much, and also seems to like being caressed. He handles at least as well as my Cal King that I've had almost 2 years.
At times while I hold him & sway, I can caress all along his body, up to his neck & chin. I've even accidentally banged him against objects when lifting; he seems to sense that it was accidental and is forgiving.
When he basks in a tree, I can leave him, watching from a distance, for many minutes. When he climbs down, he is no more agitated at being picked up than a Milk snake or Kingsnake. He undulates strongly, but allows me to maintain my grip and take him inside.
Since his soaking & shed, his skin is more healthy looking, and the minor scars or bumps are all gone except for one small slice that is getting less noticeable with each shed. I'm exceedingly pleased with my Tex Rat, and the progress that we're making in handling.
I think that Todd is right. Tex Rats are no more mean or aggressive than any similar rat snake - or Colubrid. How safe they feel and how you interact with them seem to be the primary determining factors determining their behavior.
I've already begun brief, chaperoned trips outside in the back yard. I may get a custom-built, wooden enclosure with front & rear doors for keeping him on the patio during the summer.
Below is a Flickr link with some photos, one of which shows him basking in the apple tree.
Happy Herping!!
Link
