Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Haven't seen many posts of twin spotted rats here just wondering if anyone breeds them. I had one a long time ago. I really liked them.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

>>Haven't seen many posts of twin spotted rats here just wondering if anyone breeds them. I had one a long time ago. I really liked them.
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>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

Terry Cox and Randy Whittington both keep and breed that species. I keep them, but so far, they have not reproduced for me...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

This is one of my favorite species. I've made lots of posts on them, and I have way too many..heheh...

TC

>>>>Haven't seen many posts of twin spotted rats here just wondering if anyone breeds them. I had one a long time ago. I really liked them.
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>>>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>>>> J Sierra
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>>Terry Cox and Randy Whittington both keep and breed that species. I keep them, but so far, they have not reproduced for me...
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>>-Toby Brock
>>Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

Cool some pics would be nice. I know they can vary quite a bit from fugly to spectacular.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I've posted some of these pix before, but just for fun thought I'd put together an assortment to show more variety...

Some of these individuals are products of crossing two originals, but, then again, they don't nearly represent the whole range of variability in this amazing species. This is especially fantastic, since bimaculata has such a small range in the Yangzte Valley in China.

TC

>>Cool some pics would be nice. I know they can vary quite a bit from fugly to spectacular.
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>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

That second photo is a Randy Whittington snake...

>>I've posted some of these pix before, but just for fun thought I'd put together an assortment to show more variety...
>>
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

Congratulations on those they are beautiful! Their heads look so much like cornsnakes! I'm surprised they have not become more popular than they are, I think they have great potential. When I get back on my feet financially I will have to look you up and get some for sure. Thanks for the pics.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

They do look a little like corn snakes and were in the same genus previously. They were also called "Chinese corn snakes" at one time when being imported. They do also have potential for some types of hobbyists; but they don't handle like corn snakes, don't have any morphs, yet, and aren't quite as easy in the husbandry.

There are a lot of great reasons to like them, however. Small size, very hardy, easy to raise, nice looks, interesting behaviors, variability, etc...

>>Congratulations on those they are beautiful! Their heads look so much like cornsnakes! I'm surprised they have not become more popular than they are, I think they have great potential. When I get back on my feet financially I will have to look you up and get some for sure. Thanks for the pics.
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>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

i'm interested in hearing about how their behavior differs from their north american counterpart.

What are their breeding requirements. Are they much different than the Corn snake?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

>>What are their breeding requirements. Are they much different than the Corn snake?
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>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

Interesting you should mention corn snakes. I've always had a few corn snakes to compare my Asian ratsnakes to. The main way bimacs are different is that they are Fall breeders. They can breed in the spring too, as does the corn. The breeding requirements are similar. I usually put the female in with the breeding male in late Fall after all are done eating. Mating usually takes place several times during the pre-brumation period and brumation. They even breed under water. You can cool them for as little as about 8 weeks, or up to three months or more, and the brumation temps don't have to be super cold, 55-60* doing the trick pretty well.

I've never had problems breeding these guys. As a matter of fact, one winter one male bred three females that were in with him, and all three produced clutches in the Spring.

TC
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

>>i'm interested in hearing about how their behavior differs from their north american counterpart.

OK...

Asian ratsnakes tend to have some "racer" characteristics, as well as "ratsnake" characteristics. They tend to be a little quicker in their movements and quite secretive. Bimacs are sort of like that.

Bimacs also have a very powerful musk and aren't afraid to use it. I find them to be the most prolific muskers of any ratsnake.

Bimacs tend to soak in their water jugs more than most ratsnakes.

Another behavior is Fall breeding. I've had gravid females that were never with a male in the Spring.

Bimacs tend to bask more than most ratsnakes. There's others that bask too.

There's likely more behaviors that are interesting that I'm not thinking of right now.

TC

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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

ah. sounds somewhat like korean rats.

>>ah. sounds somewhat like korean rats.

Korean rats aren't Fall breeders though, are they?
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

nice pics ... I finally got 2 good eggs out of 6 ... hopefully they hatch out fine ....

Congrats!!

>>nice pics ... I finally got 2 good eggs out of 6 ... hopefully they hatch out fine ....
>>
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Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org