Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have always loved these snakes from their looks...and I have heard they are very "nippy"....is this true as adults also? I know they grow rather large...upwards of 10 feet if i'm correct? Also, are they housed under the same basic conditions as an american rat snake...as far as heating and feeding and such goes? but really the main thing im curious on is their personality...i've even heard that you need snake hooks to get them out of the tank when they get older due to biting you? Thanks in advance
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )

**I know they grow rather large...upwards of 10 feet if i'm correct? Also, are they housed under the same basic conditions as an american rat snake...as far as heating and feeding and such goes?**

If you had a ratsnake ten ft. long it would be a record for the longest ratsnake ever recorded. Taiwan beauties are supposed to be the largest rats at around 9 ft. maximum, but I've heard several other ratsnakes can reach nine ft., including the blue beauty. Check pics by colubridman.

Stripe-tailed ratsnakes are generally very hardy, especially the Indo-Chinese group. I believe blues, which are in the Indo-Malasian group, are also considered pretty hardy, and should be maintained similar to American ratsnakes.

TC

ok that is a lot of a relief on size, lol. now about the agressiveness....will they be pretty much biting me every time i handle them or do they calm down or is this just an overexaggeration?
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )

You probably don't have anything to worry about. I don't keep Blues so unfortunately I'm only relating what I've heard from those few people I've talked to who either keep them or breed them. What it all boils down to is individual temprament. I own a couple Ball Pythons that are hissers and one of them has been know to strike out in defense - not your typical Ball Python.

So, that being said all the keepers and breeders I've talked to have had perfectly tractable Blues. Really fairly docile snakes, although they do tend to be more nervous and active when being held than say something like a cornsnake. I have been bitten by one of my Taiwans and it was not a stupid feeding error.

I simply reached into her enclosure to remove her for some cleaning, and whatever I did - maybe I grabbed her wrong or squeezed a little hard to get a better grip - but anyway she nailed me and coiled around my hand for a few seconds. I think one guy I know has a Blue that's probably pushing about two years old and he said it was somewhat nervous and would close-mouthed strike on occasion when it was smaller but has mellowed out the older and larger it's gotten.
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Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

Assistant Curator
Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, Illinois

Cool...I also had asked the breeder and he said as long as it as handled a lot as a baby it wouldn't be too agressive...so i'm hoping it wont be! lol. I went ahead and got one...so as soon as I get it i'll be posting pics. $40..couldn't say no...
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The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

Battling ignorance one stupid person at a time.

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat(Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds ("Bill" and "The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo" )

I really wish someone from the Raleigh show would reply now...lol My male, which measured in at 8'5" last summer, is tamer than just about any cornsnake I've had! From time to time you get one thats feisty, but that kind of goes with just about any snake out there. And like I said in the post below, I keep them in virtually the same temps/humidity ranges that I keep my American ratsnakes. They are great snakes!
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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

I know there's people out there that have "blues" like yours and that have seen yours. I wish some would respond too (see my post below). Got any pics of those beauties of yours??

Terry

>>I really wish someone from the Raleigh show would reply now...lol My male, which measured in at 8'5" last summer, is tamer than just about any cornsnake I've had! From time to time you get one thats feisty, but that kind of goes with just about any snake out there. And like I said in the post below, I keep them in virtually the same temps/humidity ranges that I keep my American ratsnakes. They are great snakes!
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>>Conrad
>>Too Fast Reptiles
>>www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

Hi,
I was at the Raleigh Show and I saw Conrads Blue Beauty. It was an incredible snake. Calm and mellow even with a ton of people around. It was alert but never seemed anxious. I was holding it at the time so it is was excellent even with an unfamiliar person. In fact I was so impressed I purchased one from him. And my little guy has been a treat.