Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. My name is Lori and I am 9 years old. I just got the thing that I have been wanting for the last 3 years for my birthday. My mom got me a rat snake. His name is Gizmo. I have done alot of studying on them on the computer. I hope to meet alot of new friends.

Lori

Congratulations on getting your new rat snake Lori. Welcome to the forum and let us know if you have any questions. Randy Whittington

Glad to hear from you Lori. Its only been a few years since I got my first Rat Snake, too. So far, they are my favorites. I'm sure you'll have a ball with Gizmo. Do you know what kind of Rat Snake he is?

n/p

this is him. What kind is He? Can you tell if a snake is a girl or boy by just looking? Or do you have to do a DNA test?

Gizmo does appear to be a very nice looking little corn snake. There are a couple of ways an experienced keeper can find out if it is a boy or a girl that dont involve DNA testing but if you are just keeping it for a pet I would not worry about it. Beautiful snake. Enjoy. Randy W.

They are close cousins and darn nice snakes. You'll have a great time.

>>Hi. My name is Lori and I am 9 years old. I just got the thing that I have been wanting for the last 3 years for my birthday. My mom got me a rat snake. His name is Gizmo. I have done alot of studying on them on the computer. I hope to meet alot of new friends.
>>
>>Lori
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Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

Corn snake. I was told that these guys didnt get mean as they got older, but since he isnt a rat snake, will this hold true. I am feeding him a pinky 2 times a week. He eats them froze. Since I also have rats, this is hard to do. But in the wild that is what he would do. Some are prey some are predators. Learned that from one of my wild life books. I just wanted to know what sex he was because of the name thing. I did not want a girl called frank! Thanks alot you guys.

Lori

You said...
>>Corn snake. I was told that these guys didn't get mean as they got older, but since he isn't a rat snake, will this hold true.

My answer...
It is a ratsnake. Scientific name is Elaphe guttata. Other ratsnakes are also in the genus, Elaphe (some call the genus, Pantherophis). Corn snakes are a type of ratsnake
Corn snakes are usually very mild mannered, but once in awhile someone gets one that is kinda fiesty. If it's a nice baby, it will likely be a nice adult.

You said...
I am feeding him a pinky 2 times a week. He eats them froze. Since I also have rats, this is hard to do. But in the wild that is what he would do. Some are prey some are predators. Learned that from one of my wild life books.

My answer...
It's good if they eat pinks that are thawed out, but be careful not to serve them if they are still frozen.

You said...
I just wanted to know what sex he was because of the name thing. I did not want a girl called frank! Thanks alot you guys.
>>
>>Lori

My answer...
If you call it, "Gizmo", then it doesn't matter what sex it is, right? Actually, after about a year, you can usually tell what sex it is just by looking at the tail just below the vent. Males have thicker tails there...females more tapered.

Good luck....TC.