Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's what I think a black rat should look like: Black! He was WC in York County, SC. But I love the albinos, too. In fact I've got 1.2. 1.1 are pink phase and I now have an adult female that is cream-colored and almost patternless. So I'm guessing that these are two phases of albinism whose genes are incompatible. Can anybody enlighten me?

He feeds great but is very skinny. Wonder if that's a genetic trait from his locality. Then again, my male albino is the same, but my female albino is much heavier. Oh, well.

Is that a wild caught animal? His skin has a nice healthy look to it, but he may not be putting on weight due to some internal parasites. A healthy member of the obsoleta group should be built like a loaf of bread.

You're right. I think some medication may be in order. Thanks for the response.

You were right, Steve. I had a fecal float done today at the vet and saw for myself the oval egg sacs of the hook worms infesting my black rat snake. The doc dosed him with Panacur. I will dose him two more times every other week. That should take care of those nasty internals.

>>He feeds great but is very skinny. Wonder if that's a genetic trait from his locality. Then again, my male albino is the same, but my female albino is much heavier. Oh, well.
>>

I agree, if I were keeping a black rat, that's the color phase I'd want. I bet he has some great genes if you could get him to breed. I don't think there's a different strain in S.C. where the males are real skinny. Males are often smaller and thinner in ratsnake species than females. He also may have been in an area that was stressed with little food. Good luck getting him started and let us know what happens.

TC

here is one of my little girls from one of my clutches from a maryland black rat,most of mine didnt gain weight un till they got in the 5 to 6 foot range somtimes 4 to 5 foot.

Good to know. He's already in the 5-foot range and taking down medium rats. I'll give him more time to put on the weight. He is one of the gentlest snakes I've had. He will deftly pluck live prey right out of my hand! His constricting of prey items seems to be an act of love rather than violence. You're probably wondering what I've been smoking, but it seems that way.

i have got a female that is just a little over 6foot 6 in the past 6 months se has started puting on weight fast maby because, i feed my snakes a lot of food.heck maby my animals are just over weight lol.

WOW...

That looks awfully like an adult hybrid I have. Mine has been crossed with a Yellow somewhere down the line I think, but the similarity is very marked.

Very interesting similarities, thanks for posting.

WOW! Stunning creature. Feeding on live or f/t?

I fed him a f/t medium rat on Tuesday and a live one on Wednesday. He doesn't care. He'd probably eat a stuffed animal if I gave him one

Even tho my collection boasts Licorice sticks, Lavenders, Albinos & Brindles.......... when I'm cleaning the blacks rats or feeding them I usually tend to pick up the black ones every time I'm passing by the rack, those are the '02 babies I got from Dwight Good.

VERY nice snake you got there, my males all look a little thinner as well, guess they don't have to keep any reserves to put into egg production......... best of luck with him!!

Dean

n/p