A Black Ratsnake and a Texas Ratsnake? Is it the size? Temperment? Care? I see the Leucistic Rat represented in both species. Which is the easiest to handle?
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What is the difference between....
Passport
Jan 10, 2004 03:56 PM
Replies (3)
Jolliff
Jan 10, 2004 04:07 PM
the only difference is the coloration on animals that are not Leucistics. Blacks are supposed to be more docile but each individual animal can have a different temperment. I don't believe there is a scale count difference....any one else have any info. on this matter??
Elaphefan
Jan 10, 2004 09:40 PM
What I read is that all of Elaphe obsoleta have the same scale counts, but the subspecies do varie in both length and coloring. Black Rat Snakes are the longest of the obsoleta subspecies. They are reported to grow to be about a foot longer than Texas Rat Snakes.
I have blacks, yellows, grays, and Texas rat snakes and can see no differences in there temperments. They are all nice snakes.
duffy
Jan 10, 2004 04:18 PM
Very similar in size and care. Some will tell you that the TX is more apt to be a biter, but it really depends on the snake and how you handle it. A normal colored black rat loses most or all of its juvenile pattern as it matures. TX does not. As for the leucistics...the TX might be less expensive. If you live in a state where one is native, check the laws about keeping native species and that may influence your decision. Both are GREAT animals!!! Duffy
