Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I’ve been doing much research recently about Asian Rat Snakes. I know a fair amount about North American species, and I’ve had a 6-foot Texan that never bit me.

I’m strongly considering getting a Trinket, due to small size and activity levels. While researching, however, I came across several references to Radiateds being so highly active. I saw the usual caveats about aggressive nature.

I have my own theory about “aggressive” snakes, and feel that confidence & handler experience usually determine snake response. I also know that the Individual can be the most dominant factor; there are always surprises.

I local pet store owner from Vietnam, with first-hand experience with Radiateds in both the wild and captive, agrees with another forum poster that *captive-bred* Radiateds can be like most other rat snake species. Mostly will acclimate nicely if held often.

Like some others, I like confidence & activity levels in snakes much more than whether they are likely to bite. I’m not sure if a true Racer-type snake is best for me, though. I prefer semi-arboreal snakes that don’t mind being handled and which are frequently active during the day.

You with experience, please share your insights. Would you Dare me to try a Radiated? How does your behave if handled often? Would you strongly steer me towards a Trinket??

Ameron
Portland/Vancouver

1.0 Lampropeltis getula californiae (Carlsbad Wide-banded)
0.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (Los Angeles County Coastal Banded)

I used to work with the Radiateds rats about 12-14 years or so ago. When the albino gene was just still a relatively rare thing. Mine were usually rather calm as adults and hardly ever aggresive. It was neat to see them puff up there necks however. They are very active when young and at times hard to hold as they always wanted to move. The one thing I remember about them the most is the incredible appetite and the incredible growth potential these things have. they are big impressive snakes that seam to do better for me in taller more spacious cages. They are very easy to breed but I had to work with the hatchlings more than I wanted to in order to get them going or rodents. Cant speak to the trinkets as I have never owned one.

My vote is for the radiated. Get the normal phase as they are beautiful adults.

Several good tips from an experienced herper most appreciated.

I have just the 55-gallon, tall vivarium in mind...

Ameron
Link

I breed both radiated and trinkets. I agree with everything Allen said about radiata...they are very feisty and showy as juvies but my adults handle fine and never bite.
They are large and active snakes though and do require some spacious enclosures as they grow with sufficient hides or you will be challenged with nose rubbing.
I found my hatchling radiata to start well enough on rodents but usually only live and take a while to get on to frozen thawed.
Helena hatchlings are much smaller than radiata but from my experience they are much more willing to take FT pinks right from the start.
Both species are easy enough to breed and once they begin breeding, they are egg laying machines - double and even triple clutching.
Egg husbandry - for me, has been more challenging with radiata than helena. I have yet to have 100% hatch rate with radiata eggs but do so every time with helena. One interesting thing about hatchling trinkets (from my experience) is they are very quick to exit the eggs. I usually don;t even see them pip as they seem to exit very quickly after they do.
In general I would say you can hardly find a more simple species to keep and breed than helena. Radiata, while still relatively easy, do require a little more effort due to their size and highly active nature.
Personally - I like them both but I have a preference for radiata. I should say that I also keep Red tail green rats and Hundred Flower rats (moellendorffi) so I guess I do show some favoritism towards the large Asian rats

HEY, Is that second pic a gray (Java Local) Gonyo with eggs? I have a trio of the greens and I am currently obsessed with them. They remind me very much of radiateds in body type and activity level only mine are full of piss and vinegar. But to be fair mine are wild caught. Captive bred are probably much easier to deal with. I forgot about the tripple clutches. I used to keep the male with my female year around and get small clutches about every four-five months.

Allen Sheehan

Yeah - I breed silvers and greens. CBB gonyos are much easier than WC and are actually very hardy and undemanding captives. I love them.
Egg husbandry can be a real challenge but I find them to be among the most interesting and beautiful of all colubrids. I have bred them to F3 in years past and I always wondered why breeders have not take to them like many of the other Asian 'rats'.
Actually - I think of them more as racers than rat snakes - but how can you not love the colorful, arboreal beauties??!

Gawd, what beautiful photos of snakes you have. Some of those Asian Rat colors & patterns are nothing less than stunning...