Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are most colubrid's nocturnal? Looking to get a corn or rat but don't want something that sleeps all day. Corns, rats, milks, and kings are all similar and share the same good temperment correct? Also do they need UV light? I know thats a big thing for my iguana and chameleon. Any West TN breeders out there? Don't want to spend more on shipping than I do on the snake.
Thanks

No, you can't really say that most Colubrids are nocturnal. Many are (such as Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes), and many are during the hottest weather but diurnal during cooler weather (Eastern Kingsnakes). Many are purely diurnal (such as Coachwhips). Some are more crepuscular during the hot weather, but are still diurnal. Some can be found moving around just whenever the mood strikes them.

As far as UV lights, that may be beneficial to those species that often bask in the sunlight in the wild. I don't know that UV is necessary, but a basking light would be for those species. Those that are fossorial in nature probably don't need a basking light. The key is that if you use a basking light, they also need the option of a cool hiding place away from the heat and light.

Your best bet is to decide which species you are interested in, then research that species to find out what it's natural habitat and habits are. Then you can build it's environment to suit it's needs. There is plenty of information on this site as well as many others on the web. Kingsnake.com has a good search function. Almost any topic you can think of regarding a a particular species has been discussed at one time or another.

One thing to keep in mind... at any given time, the average snake isn't doing much. Make sure you're ok with that, they can be not much to look at.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

That's true. As a matter of fact, I take pride when I bring someone in to the snake room and they say "All these enclosures look empty." They are supposed to. If I see a snake cruising around, I take that as an indication of something. ie. hungry, mating season, temperature problem etc....
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Exactly- except some of my larger colubrids don't bother hiding and sleep out in the open. But they still sit in the same spot for days on end.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

actually , Garter snakes are Diurnal in all ways and possibly the most active colubrid you can find , always squirming about their thank...always wonder whats on their mind ! hehehe....Some might say garters are uninterresting snakes , but , [bleep] , i have corn and find them boring as hell when compared...