Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am very interested in Russian Rats and a few of the other Asian Ratsnakes. But some people have suggested that I stick with a North American rat, as this will be my first time breeding snakes. Any suggestions would be great. From what I've read, the Russians are GREAT animals, and I would like to go for it with them. I just wanted some advice before hand. Thanks!

Miya

They're not really any harder to breed than obsoleta. What snakes do you keep now?
John

My first snake was a Texas rat yearling and I adore him. I have never been in contact with a more friendly and curious animal. Which I've always thought was funny because I hear horror stories about Texas rats, and how snippy they are. He has never struck at me. I have researched for a little over a month, about different Old world rats, and I am smitten with the Russians.
So jump on in eh?

with Texas rats. I've got a pair of orange phase lindheimeri and even though they're not as calm as the russians they're definitely not vicious. You just have to decide what you prefer to work with.
John

Thanks.

I really can't wait to get them (Russians). I just hope I can find more info on them.

Let me know if I can help with any info. I have had some success breeding them.

Bryan

GREAT!
How long is incubation? and at what temp?
What size do the adults need to be?
How long of a ‘cooling’ period do they need or do they need a full winter?
How many clutches per year?
Did your hatchlings eat well?
Are they easily found CB? (I did have trouble finding them online, but I will check a few local shows in Aug.)
I would really like to find yearlings if possible, or a little older.

I’m sure I have allot more questions... but my brain is fried right now...
Thanks!!

Our incubation time this year was 48-50 days at 83 degrees. I would say not to breed the adults until their third year. Maybe second if you really push the feeding early (they will usually eat very well). Schulz reports a clutch laid from a female only six months old, but this is very early. Probably shoot for 40" in length before breeding. We cool our asians for about 6 weeks at 58-60 degrees. I haven't as yet heard of anyone producing more than one clutch per year out of schrencki, but there may be exceptions out there that I haven't heard of. The hatchlings eat great. They all have taken live pink mice within a couple days of their first shed. Some would probably eat before the shed, though I haven't tried it. CB are available once in a while in the classifieds (e-mail me for more info on this). Hope this helps!