Other than the obvious appearance difference between these snakes, what other differences should I expect?? length, girth, behaviour, appetite, temperament, etc.
Thanks again
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Yellow Rat vs Texas Rat vs Black Rat
scapelli
Jan 11, 2004 02:51 PM
Replies (2)
jfirneno
Jan 11, 2004 05:18 PM
They're really very closely related. And the variability within those subspecies (or species depending on scientific opinion) is comparable in some cases to the differences between them. But the colors and patterns represented can make it seem like night and day. If you like any of the obsoleta you'll probably like them all.
John
Elaphefan
Jan 11, 2004 08:09 PM
I have some of each. Length and color are the major differences that I can see. If you get them young, and handle them gently and often, they are almost as tame as corn snakes. I like them all.
I kept wild types in my youth, (Black Rats) and most of them tamed quickly but one or two would bite me every once in a while. It was never a big deal to me.
I don't think you can go wrong if you start with a very young C.B. Elaphe obsoleta sp. Try to find one that has been feeding on F/T mice and your life will be much easier. If you work with the snake every day (Except for the day after feeding, you don't want to handle them for 48 hrs. It helps them to keep their food down.), it will become and stay very tame.
Keep in mind that when you hold them, they dont sit still. If you are looking for a snake that will rest in place as you carry it around, don't get any of the snakes you asked about. It is just not in their nature.
Good luck.
Rick
