Reptile & Amphibian Forums

but I'm trying to figure out if they do best/prefer cages that allow climbing, etc or if they are more terrestrial? I'm getting a rack setup this weekend, but prefer to only house burrowing and highly terrestrial species in racks. Species that need/enjoy a lot of opportunity to climb I prefer to put in display tanks.

In general do they need/prefer climbing?

Thanks!
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1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

All ratsnakes are climbers. But they do just fine in racks!

If you think about it, most rat snakes climb to get food or to get away from predators, or to find a safe hideaway to digest their meal.

My rats always are in their hides, unless it is a day before or feeding day. Then most are out waiting to be fed. Once fed, they cruise back into the hides to digest.
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1.0 Corn snake (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake (KY locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Yellow rat snake (Dwight Good stock)
1.1 California king snake (Coastal phase)
1.0 Prairie king snake (KY locale)
0.1 Black king snake (KY locale)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

You can't go wrong with ratsnakes IMHO. As Hotshot said, they do like to climb, but it does not seem to be a requirement.
You can even install a few dowels or perches if you want to accommodate them. Mine climb up to the little ledges made by the "handles" of my 50 gallon Sterilite containers. But they also spend lots of time in their hides and just "cruising"

Try a Red Rat Snake (Corn Snake). I have both E. o. ssp. (black, yellow, and gray) and I have E. g. g. and the Red Rats don't seem to climb near as much. (They also hide even more then all the others.) Best of luck with the rat snake that you choose to get. I love all of mine.

1.3 Gray Rats
1.1 Black Rats
2.2 Yellow Rats
1.1 Corn (Red Rat) snakes

I've kept a number of North American rat snakes and they really are a great place to start. E. obsoleta (Black rats) are one of my favorites but I've also kept Texans, greenish (Black/Yellow intergrades), Everglades, Yellows, Greys and of course the ever popular Corn. Pretty much any color or pattern you like is available now captive bred so there's a ton of variety out there. Temperaments may vary, but most calm down with regular handling once the get a little size on them.
Lora