Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some help with my new racer. I had no intention of getting one but one of my friends recently brought one (mabye 12 inches, still a little guy) back from his home (4hrs away) and thought i might like it (good intentions but not the best thing for the snake). It's really starting to get cold here now (28 last night) so i really don't want to let it go and this is actually a blue racer subspecies, i have the black spp in my area so i don't want to introduce him into the local gene pool. I don't really have a problem keeping him but i know WC are really tough to get to eat. he's super mean too, striking out anytime i walk past the enclosure. i own a hognose so i am totally familiar with feeding difficulties and my king was super aggressive when i got him so i don't mind working with it to calm it down. Any recommendations as to what i should do with the snake. i don't see releasing it as an option so any advice to acclimate it? i've only had it a day so i haven't tried to feed it. Thanks alot

and get it used to handling, it should make a great pet. I have an eastern yellow belly that is just as docile as any of my rats. The only thing is that he is much faster, and when he wants to go somewhere, he is quick. But as far as requirements, house it just like you would a rat or king, and feed it mice. I had to tease feed mine at first to get him going, but now he eats like a champ. Racers are sight hunters and need movement more than smell to get them into feed mode. But once he grows accustomed to the regular feeding schedule, he should do fine.

Mine is in shed right now, and as soon as he sheds Ill post some pics!
Good luck and post some pics

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RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Yellow rat snake "Wolverine" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

MILKS
0.0.1 Eastern Milk snake "Cable" (KY locale)
0.0.1 Eastern/Red milk intergrade "Omega Red" (KY locale)
Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

are there any tips to enourage a feeding response? i was planning on getting a live pinkie this week and trying it first, but if he refuses is there a certain prey item i should try..crickets, worms, other snakes (just joking, although i know where i can get a whole lotta dekays). Also any tips on calming them down? i reached in the enclosure today to move some stuff and he came at me like a mamba, rearing up and biting the entire time my hand was there. my king was mean out of a feeding response, not cause he ever hated me. a little different

Try crickets...My racer is wc and will not eat pinks at the moment.....he loves crickets though...will eat about 10 at a time....i feed a few every 3 days or so...I am hoping he can eat bigger rodents that will run around he will eat them...he will have to switch eventually since they get way to big to survive off crickets....

Let us know what you figure out

Jason

Try a live pinkie. That will probably incite a feeding response if he is hungry. Once you get him feeding, he should be ok. As far as calming him down, well that is a different story. Most racers are high strung, and will bite repeatedly. While he is little and cannot hurt you, go ahead and handle him. Dont over do it, just 5 or 10 minutes every other day, and he should start calming down.
If you cant get him to feed on a pinkie, try a cricket, and if he eats it, then immediately try a pinkie. Hopefully that will do the trick for ya.
Let us know how things go and post a pick, would love to see the little guy.

>>are there any tips to enourage a feeding response? i was planning on getting a live pinkie this week and trying it first, but if he refuses is there a certain prey item i should try..crickets, worms, other snakes (just joking, although i know where i can get a whole lotta dekays). Also any tips on calming them down? i reached in the enclosure today to move some stuff and he came at me like a mamba, rearing up and biting the entire time my hand was there. my king was mean out of a feeding response, not cause he ever hated me. a little different

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RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Yellow rat snake "Wolverine" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

MILKS
0.0.1 Eastern Milk snake "Cable" (KY locale)
0.0.1 Eastern/Red milk intergrade "Omega Red" (KY locale)
Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

I agree with Jason, crickets were a favorite of my Buttermilk Racer until I got her started on pinks. Don't throw out the other snake idea either. Racers and whipsnakes are know for snacking on other snakes.