Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. conspicillata or situla (not sure yet)

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. taenura, gonyosoma, more obsoleta, carinata. They're big snakes and I'm short on space.

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. mandarina (3 pairs and a lone male)

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. mandarina

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. eastern indigo

6. What your favorite boid.
A. diamond python

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. king cobra

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. aspen shavings

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
A. Either teflon surface cages or a form fitting cage liner that just pulls away to leave a new liner in place.

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. E. climacophora (Kunasir), E. Coxi (Red Bamboo) and Rhynchophis boulengeri (Vietnamese Long-nosed Rat snake)- coming next month!

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. ridleyi- beautiful but get too big currently for convenient caging. I've already got a friesi and he's got the big, hungry snake spot in my house.

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. At this point (today) all of them are paired. Mandarins are what I've had the most of at one time (5 total).

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. Though I love my mandarins, the Taiwan is the most interactive.

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. Love the drymarchons, but again space is an issue.

6. What your favorite boid.
A. Brazilian Rainbow Boa

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Rhinocerous viper

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. Heavy craft paper or shop towels for easy clean up.

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
A. A safe, temperature controlled hibernation cage (I know there are fridges out there, but I wish I could just air condition the individual cages the same way I heat them).

climacophora, Coxi and Rhynchophis!!! It's like Christmas. I do love the friesi. They're such impressive beasts. Wish I had the room. How does it work with the shop towels? Do you wash them or use them once. How big are they? How do you set them up?
John

I saw the "trifecta of Asian rat snakes" ad from Steve at Napa Valley and couldn't pass them up... Now finding mates for them will be my challenge for 2005. I'm really looking forward to the Rhyno- what an odd looking snake! Once they're settled, I'll post some pics
With the shop towels (or they call them shop rags), they're a heavy cloth/paper blend like a paper towel but are much more absorbant and come in a box of around 200. You can pick them up at most home supply stores (like Lowes or Home Depot). I throw them out like paper, so it's really convenient. They hold humidity as well, so they're good for lining humid hides. So far they've worked well for my smaller snakes (the big ones get the brown, textured craft paper).
Lora

I especially like the coxi (or any porphyracea for that matter). Enjoy.

I'll look into those towels. Always looking for a better substrate.
John

1.E. prasina

2. E.obsoleta. I have caught and kept so many it's no longer interesting.

3. E. climicaphora (one pair)

4. E. climicaphora

5.Any of the eastern "Chain king" sbsps.

6.Trophidophis haitiensis (I have a trio of Diamonds).

7. My Mojave Sidewinder

8. No favorite-different snakes have different needs. I use Aspen, spagnum moss, cypress mulch and sand.

9.An automatic misting system.

(Fumes from Teflon by the way can be toxic to some animals. Never cook with it near your herps).

Frank
-----
"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I also always liked the chain kings. When I was 11 I had an eastern chain. Unfortunately my second was a baby boa constrictor (slightly larger than the king) that I put with the king while changing its cage. I learned a very painful (and expensive) lesson.

But about the teflon, unless you heat it over 285 deg (such as on a cooking surface or a bulb) there's absolutely no danger from teflon. At room temperature it's one of the most inert and harmless substances on earth. And as a chemical engineer with twenty years in the field I can tell you that with certainty. The fumes that would come off heating any melting plastic would be as hazardous as teflon (if not more so). So unless you want to go back to glass and metal, there's no reason to distinguish between teflon and any of the plastics we currently use. What I like is the non-stick and ease of cleaning aspect to a teflon surface. End of teflon sermon.
Regards
John

np
-----
"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

>>The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.
>>
>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
>>A. White Oak Grey Rat
>>
>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
>>A. probably any of the Asians. They are beautiful but due to space and time I just don't think I could swing it.
>>
>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
>>A. Well, since corn snakes are rat snakes then I would definitely have to say corns with 10.12.10 As far as "rat" snakes go I have 1.1.0 Bairds, 0.0.2 Everglades and 1.0.0 Yellow Rat
>>
>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
>>A. Ok due to this being the "rat" forum then I will go with the Bairds Rat Snake....LOVE 'EM
>>
>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
>>A. I like your choice of the Indigo. Very good choice.

>>
>>6. What is your favorite boid.
>>A. I had one for a while and reallt liked him so I will have to go with the plain 'ole Burmese Python
>>
>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
>>A. Copperhead.....They have to be some of the most beautiful snakes in the country.. hots or nots...lol
>>
>>8. What's your favorite substrate?
>>A. aspen shavings
>>
>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?
>>A. hmmm...I will have to think about this one...How about affordable rack kits. Maybe made out of plastic, come ready to assemble..
>>

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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

I'm very jealous of your results. One of these days I've got to get some bairdis.
Regards
John

>>I'm very jealous of your results. One of these days I've got to get some bairdis.
>>Regards
>>John

Thanks John
Just send your snakes this way. I will be glad to photograph them and send PHOTOS back to you.
Of course, due to the time and effort involved I would have to keep your snakes...lol
I'll be watching the mail!
Jimmy

Come on down to Grafton, MA and photograph my snakes right here under the watchful eye of my guard-basset hound. Any attempt to bolt with my serpents will result in drowning by drool and fearsome ear-whipping. He's an awesome presence.
Best regards
John

>>Come on down to Grafton, MA and photograph my snakes right here under the watchful eye of my guard-basset hound. Any attempt to bolt with my serpents will result in drowning by drool and fearsome ear-whipping. He's an awesome presence.
>>Best regards
>>John

Anything but the basset drool and fearsom ear-whipping..
aaagggghhhh
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get? A White-Oak phase Grey Ratsnake, or a Russian Ratsnake.

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
Blue beauties, but their size is a bit larger then I want to have. Awesome snakes though.

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)? Only have a few ratsnakes, and one of each, so this question doesn't apply.
4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be? Bairdi

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
Eastern Kings/OuterBanks Kings

6. What your favorite boid.
Rosy Boas, love their small size, and the fact they are one of the few boids living in the U.S. Many colors, sizes, and localities.

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)? Copperheads.I think certain individuals are just stunning. Amazing how their color and pattern are perfect for blending in with dead leaf litter on the forest floor. Timber Rattle snakes also.

8. What's your favorite substrate? Used to be Aspen, now it's Newspaper.

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest? Humm, like one of the above posters said, some type of misting system

It's interesting that the photo of a venomous animal can actually have such a calming aesthetic aspect. When you take the fall foliage and add in the mellow colors of the copperhead it becomes art.

The first poisonous snake I ever saw in the wild was a sulphur phase timber rattlesnake in Tuxedo NY. This was a large vivid black and yellow animal warming itself in the spring sunshine near its den. It made quite an impression on me.
Regards
John

>>It's interesting that the photo of a venomous animal can actually have such a calming aesthetic aspect. When you take the fall foliage and add in the mellow colors of the copperhead it becomes art.
>>
>>The first poisonous snake I ever saw in the wild was a sulphur phase timber rattlesnake in Tuxedo NY. This was a large vivid black and yellow animal warming itself in the spring sunshine near its den. It made quite an impression on me.
>>Regards
>>John

here is a nice little copperhead I photographed a few years ago.

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

NT

>>NT

well, I hate to admit it but nope not a field shot.
It is from Southeast Tennessee.
I photographed it at a local nature center.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Took this photo this past summer down in North Carolina when I was hiking in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Located in Dare County, North Carolina. Near the Outer Banks.

Steve

were specifically designed to mimic that particular heart shaped leaf near the center of the photo. Now that's what I call camoflage. Must have been fun finding that guy.
John

>>>>It's interesting that the photo of a venomous animal can actually have such a calming aesthetic aspect. When you take the fall foliage and add in the mellow colors of the copperhead it becomes art.
>>>>
>>>>The first poisonous snake I ever saw in the wild was a sulphur phase timber rattlesnake in Tuxedo NY. This was a large vivid black and yellow animal warming itself in the spring sunshine near its den. It made quite an impression on me.
>>>>Regards
>>>>John
>>
>>here is a nice little copperhead I photographed a few years ago.
>>
>>-----
>>Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
>>"resistance is futile"
>>Jimmy (draybar)
>>

I live in north eastern WV and I see a lot of copperheads when I am out looking.

There was this one spot way some dork threw out a 10ft by 12ft. rug. The bad thing was that is was trash thrown out in a nice wooded area. The good thing was it was a snake "Holiday Inn". Every time I wanted to see a snake all I had to do was check under the rug. This one copperhead "checked in" and stayed for about a month. I also seen black rats, ringnecks, small brown snakes, garter snakes, and milk snakes under that rug. It was snake city. LOL!
-----
Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

Artificial cover is the greatest friend of the field-herper but to see one of these animals in a natural setting is definitely (for me) aesthetically satisfying. I love all the great photos put up of native species. Of course it only magnifies my own shortcomings as a naturalist and (even more) as a photographer.
John

>>The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.
>>
>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get? It will probably be the Western green ratsnake, Senticolis triapis intermedia, because I'll be studying them in their natural habitat once we move to AZ in a few years.

>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why? I really like the various taeniura ssps, but won't get more because they are large, take up a lot of space, and it would mean less time for others. I also like American ratsnakes like obsoleta, bairdi, flavirufa, and others, but won't get any for now for similar reasons.

>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)? My most numerous are Elaphe bimaculata, Chinese twin-spotted ratsnake. I have 2.3 adults and many young ones being raised up. The main reasons are that I'm working with several color/patterns and because they make great pets. They are very underrated, being small, hardy, easy to care for, colorful, etc. Also a very interesting sp.

>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be? It would have to be Pantherophis guttata with all it's ssps, etc. Let's hope that never happens.

>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid? It would have to be a kingsnake. The second best pet snake in the world is the California kingsnake. Other favorites of mine include the AZ mtn. king, the Mexican variable kingsnake, and the Eastern milksnake.

>>6. What your favorite boid. I would have to say the rosy boa.

>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)? All massasauga rattlesnakes because I spend a lot of time with them in the field and study their natural history, but I also love the copperheads and would love to hunt for Chinese hundred pace snakes someday.

>>8. What's your favorite substrate? Aspen shavings in combination with newspaper, paper towels, and props.

>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest? I would have to say a substrate that came pre-treated with a substance that would kill insects and all parasites, but would be harmless to any herps.

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Ratsnake Haven: Calico and albino Chinese stripe-tailed ratsnakes, Mandarin ratsnakes, Chinese twin-spotted ratsnakes, South Korean Dione's ratsnake, Great Plains ratsnakes and corns

Posted by: jfirneno at Sat Oct 23 07:45:34 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
i have a pair of bairdis i am lookin forward to gettin (wed. hopefully) and maybe a pair of mandarins

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
would have to say the beauties.....i have enough space taken with my black rats

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
black rats....16

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
black rats of course....like corns theres many morph possibilities

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
i would have to agree with the indigo....

6. What your favorite boid.
the jaguar carpet python.....what a gorgeous animal

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
the golden eyelash viper with all cobras as a close second (the beauty of venemous species is outstanding)

8. What's your favorite substrate?
i love the look of the calcium sands (you asked favorite) but i dont use it anymore....switched to aspen

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest? the day/night timer lol to shut off my day lights and turn on night ones

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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

NT

NT

John,

Deinagkistrodon sps, or hundred pace vipers, are Agkistrodon-like pit-vipers from China and Taiwan ("Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex", Gloyd and Conant '89). They are very dangerous, although beautiful, snakes that lay eggs...a little more primitive than our copperheads. Very interesting animals in one of the world's greatest environments

TC
-----
Ratsnake Haven: Calico and albino Chinese stripe-tailed ratsnakes, Mandarin ratsnakes, Chinese twin-spotted ratsnakes, South Korean Dione's ratsnake, Great Plains ratsnakes and corns

>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?

A Ptyas or Zaochys of some sort. Not really ratsnakes, but neither are most of the snakes discussed on this forum.

>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?

Cave Dwelling Ratsnakes. Simply because enough people are working with these already and it would be one more cage I could use for Gonyosoma.

>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?

I have 4.5 Gonyosoma oxycephala and would love to triple that amount.

>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?

Gonyosoma oxycepahala.

>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?

Well I consider Gonyosoma to be "non-ratsnakes", but I don't think that fits your criteria. So I'll say a red-phase W. Coachwhip.

>>6. What your favorite boid.

Now that's easy... White Lipped Pythons (aka D'Alberts).

>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?

I've kept many species. I'd say Jumping Vipers, Urutus, & Desert Horned Vipers are the ones I miss the most. Green Mamba (D. angusticeps) was my favorite elapid.

>>8. What's your favorite substrate?

I honestly don't know. I use a lot of cypress but would like to get away from it.

>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?

Too many to list. As many of you know, I've already come with a handful and am always thinking of others.

-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Chris:
What are they like to work with? Must be nerve-wracking.

I've always thought the yellow and grey Gonyosoma was fantastic looking. And must be quite a display animal.
Regards
John

>>What are they like to work with? Must be nerve-wracking.

All the D. angusticeps I handled were calm. Very calm, actually. They also ride a hook very well. That absolute worst time I've had with venomous snake was one 7' black mamba and a very large Neotropical Rattlesnake. The latter was an absolute nightmare.

>>I've always thought the yellow and grey Gonyosoma was fantastic looking.

I'll try to get a more recent picture of this girl in the near future:

-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

As far as the hots, calm or crazy, I know I don't have the reflexes or the luck to work with them. I have been tagged by every kind of ratsnake I've ever worked with. So there's no way I could work with anything more venomous than a garter snake. I'd last about a week.

But the Gonyos are definitely something I could get into. But to do it right I'd need a really nice display enclosure. I'd hate to hide such a showy animal. But it'll be a while so I hope you US breeders keep up the good work and make sure cb's are around when the rest of us are ready.

Nope. That picture was taken the day after it arrived from the importer. It shed that night and was litterally that color of orange. The original photo was so much brighter than the actual snake that I had to dim it down in photoshop to better represent how the snake looked in person. You're seeing the photoshop version.

She changes color with every shed. She's now a combination of grey, orange, yellow, and green. I prefer the looks of the green G. oxycephala but I really do like this particular animal.

I never get bit by my Gonyosoma but I don't try to handle them either. I was not a smooth/talented venomous handler. Instead I was at the "safe" end of the spectrum. That's crossed over to my non-venomous handling even though that's all I now keep.
-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. Taiwan Beauty

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. Gonyosoma, because I've heard they are too nasty/flighty - maybe later when I have more experience.

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. 4.5 Cornsnakes

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. Cornsnake

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. Hard decision... I guess House Snakes, then Variable Kingsnakes, then Sinaloan Milksnakes

6. What's your favorite boid.
A. Another hard decision... Nicaraguan Boas, then Rosy Boas, then Rough Scaled Sand Boas

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Gaboons, Rhinos, and Eyelash vipers

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. Papertowels

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake keeper) easiest?
A. A sturdy, plastic, but above all cheap rack. I can build one that doesn't cost much and that works, but it isn't pretty looking. I'd buy a Boaphile (or similar) rack in a minute if they didn't cost so much.

I use Freedom Breeders. Not only are they mucho expensive but after shipping cross-country they're often bent or otherwise damaged. But I really like their design.
Regards
John

I've looked into Freedom Breeders, but those are very expensive too.

The Boaphiles I'm interested in are $419 for a rack that hold 6 blanket boxes and $519 for a rack that holds 30 shoeboxes.

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
I want a pair of bairdi or a pair of subocs

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
Mandarin rats they requrie to much maintanence

3. what species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
Texas rats

1.1 lavenders
2.1 motleys
1.1 hypo orange phase
0.2 leucistics
0.2 type 2 albinos
0.0.6 normals

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
Texas rats

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
Anything from the boiga complex

6. What your favorite boid.
A. hogg island boas

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
North and South American Corals

8. What's your favorite substrate?
aspen shavings

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
an automatic watering system

and they're sure fire eaters and feisty but fun. Very variable and with a definite charm. One day I've got to get leucistics. Probably the most striking looking serpents there are.
John

I forgot to add I also have a female orange phase albino het for hypo and the hypos are het for albino

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
-Ptyas korros [should be shipping to the states in the next week or so]

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
-Mandarin Ratsnakes - very cool-looking snakes but too expensive for me right now

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
-Currently tied with two Corns [0.1] and two Taiwans [1.1 - siblings - no breeding plans], but soon to be supplanted by 2.3 Ptyas korros

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
-Taiwans - simply the most impressive in terms of color, docile temprament and amazing size - also some of the most active snakes I've ever kept

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
-Tough call - I'd have to say not necessarily a favorite but a species that I'd like to work with - either Tentacled Snakes, or File Snakes [Acrochordus spp.]

6. What your favorite boid.
-Again, not necessarily a favorite but a species I'd like to work with - either Haitan Boas or other smallish insular boas like the Candoia spp. [especially viper boas]

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
-Since this is a pure fantasy question - King Cobra of course!

8. What's your favorite substrate?
-Cypress mulch

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
-A cheap yet lightweight and strong material to make cages out of - especially important to me since I manufacture all of my own caging. I've still not hit upon that perfect material and all of those I've tried have either had mechanical or financial limitations.
-----
Matt Campbell
Animal Keeper, Small Mammal/Reptile House
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, Illinois

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

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. Female prasina

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. Mandarina, mainly due to their fossorial habits

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. White sided black rats, 2.1

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. Rhynos

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. Western hognose, pref albino

6. What your favorite boid.
A. Borneo Blood

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Copperhead

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. Wood shavings
9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
A. Cheap vision cages available easily in the UK

cages and ask him if there is a way to get a cheaper price. Maybe you and some friends can pool your cash and buy a shipment at a wholesale price.
Good Luck
John

I've been fascinated by them since reading about them in Ditmars, Kauffeld and (believe it or not) Frank Buck. Ptyas is another one from childhood that was steeped in the mystery of the Orient.
Regards
John

1. All of ya'll have won me over. Bairdi.
2. Probably Blue Beauties. Love the colors, but lack the space.
3. Subocs, with 2.2
4. Subocs. What can I say, I love these guys (and girls).
5. I've really enjoyed my Western hogs, but I might have to go back to the beginning and vote for the Cal Kings
6. Diamond pythons
7. I've always like Russell's Vipers
8. aspen shavings
9. Some sort of reliable hibernation chamber
Fun Poll!

nt

>>The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.
>>
>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
>>A. Rhino Rat Snake
>>
>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
>>A. Any more wild-caught Asians. Too much bad luck in the past
>>
>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
>>A. Corns - the bread and butter of my business. (22.37 assorted colors/patters)

>>
>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
>>A. Russians (E. schrencki) Docile, beautiful, breed easily, very easy to keep
>>
>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
>>A. Central Plains Milk
>>
>>6. What your favorite boid.
>>A. Green Tree Python - Aru
>>
>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
>>A. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
>>
>>8. What's your favorite substrate?
>>A. aspen shavings
>>
>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?
>>A. A magical substrate that would stay clean and bug-free for at least a year between changes.
>>
-----
Last night I was laying in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the hell is my ceiling?"

w/c mandarins. Which w/c asians have you tried?
Regards
John

Mine have all been mandarina and schrencki. Actually the schrencki have had a pretty good track record, but they don't seem to breed as fast as c.b. babies. The babies actually reach maturity and breed quicker than most w.c. adults adapt to captivity to breed. Also, it's a lot more hassle having to de-worm them. Mandarins are horrible. I've never had a w.c. alive more than six months. I tip my hat to those that were able to breed the w.c. years ago.

Bryan

-----
Last night I was laying in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the hell is my ceiling?"

I've come across in captivity have been pretty uniform. By any chance were the W/C you got significantly different looking from say this one?

Regards
John

John,
That looks very similar to all of the ones that I've had. I sure do love them.

Bryan
-----
Last night I was laying in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the hell is my ceiling?"

my living room. This snake doesn't mind people, shows interesting behaviors and is diurnal. Plus they're good looking. I hope they never disappear from the american hobby list.
John

>>The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.

Thank you for your kind word about that post.

>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
>> Yellow (Quadrivittata)
>>
>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
>> Radiated (E. Radiata) Temperment.
>>
>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
>> Black rat 1 pair. Gray rat 1 pair. Texas leucistic 1 pair. One new male 04 Everglades rat.
>>
>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
>> Everglades they are beautiful IMHO.
>>
>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
>>A. eastern indigo. I agree 100% A big indigo is a sight to behold.
>>
>>6. What your favorite boid.
>> Red Tail Boa.
>>
>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
>> Black or Green Mamba`s
>>
>>8. What's your favorite substrate?
>> Dinner place mats. They are easy to keep clean and are only .49 cents at a local Big Lots.
>>
>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?
>> An artifical food source that was healthy and the snakes would really eat.
>>

Great post!
-----
Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

>>The last one Foreman put up was fun, so let me try one.

Thank you for your kind word about that post.

>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
>> Yellow (Quadrivittata)
>>
>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
>> Radiated (E. Radiata) Temperment.
>>
>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
>> Black rat 1 pair. Gray rat 1 pair. Texas leucistic 1 pair. One new male 04 Everglades rat.
>>
>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
>> Everglades they are beautiful IMHO.
>>
>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
>>A. eastern indigo. I agree 100% A big indigo is a sight to behold.
>>
>>6. What your favorite boid.
>> Red Tail Boa.
>>
>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
>> Black or Green Mamba`s
>>
>>8. What's your favorite substrate?
>> Dinner place mats. They are easy to keep clean and are only .49 cents at a local Big Lots.
>>
>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?
>> An artifical food source that was healthy and the snakes would really eat.
>>

Great post!
-----
Like I said; I`m Gonna Getcha Good!

Definitely fun to get feedback from other enthusiasts.
Regards
John

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. Could be lineata

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. How is possible that you like a ratsnake and won't get him?

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. 1.2 oxycephala, others are all in pair but the mandarina 1.0

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. this is difficult, I really don't know between oxycephala and ridley

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. eastern indigo

6. What your favorite boid.
A. imperator sunglow (baby)

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. I love vipers but my favorite is Crotalus cerastes

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. I use only newspapers (but I would try a paper pressed product)

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
an informatic help I would start to offer, if I'll do you'll know what it is

I guess for a lot of people if you already have a lot of snakes then lack of space could restrict the size or number of additional snakes or species that you can have. After all if you look at all the species (~40) and all the subspecies, phases and morphs there can definitely be limits on numbers. Also some folks like bigger species, some like smaller species and some look for specific characteristics (temperment, ease of keeping) that will stop them from owning a species even if they in some ways find them attractive. But I agree it's hard to resist a new ratsnake species. Also I liked the photos you put up recently. Even that non-ratsnake (a real beauty).
Regards
John

I guess I'm kinda late although it's still the 23rd.

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. Elaphe frenata

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. Moellendorffi, they get too big for me (seems to be the most common reason in this category)

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. For the time being Rhinechis scalaris. 1.1 and five unsexed hatchlings.

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. Definitely O. porphyracea vaillanti

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. I like Oxyrhopus formosus although they are probably almost unattainable since I have never seen them on any lists, but they sure are beautiful (see attached pictures).

6. What your favorite boid.
A. Haitian Dwarf Boa (Tropidphis haetianus). I will hopefully get a pair next week.

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Asp Viper (Vipera aspis)

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. Peat moss. I use it in all my cages. It looks good and retains moisture very well. Also, since peat moss is a naturally occuring substance, it can be (accidentally) ingested by snakes without adverse side effects. Snake waste is readily absorbed and can be easily removed. Peat moss reacts slightly acidic when moist (but doesn't mold), therefore bacteria and fungii don't have a chance to develop. Oh, and lets not forget, it's dirt cheap (literally ).

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake keeper) easiest?
A. Hmmm, a substrate that would totally decompose snake waste so that is would make cage cleaning almost obsolete.

Sacha

Adult Oxyrhopus formosus:

Juvenile Oxyrhopus formosus:

How big does it get? Is it rear-fanged? Is it a constrictor. Where did you get your information on it? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera? The pictures you include are very interesting.
Best regards
John

Hi John,

Well, I honestly don't really know that much about them. I keep a list of really beautiful snakes that I would like to keep some day, but most of them I have never seen offered anywhere, like Oxyrhopus. Most of the information on it I got from the EMBL Reptile Database and subsequent Google searches on this species.

I have seen the follwing common names for this snake: "Formosus False Coral Snake", "Yellow-headed Calico Snake", and "Red Forest Snake". They are most likely rear fanged as they are within the sub family Xenodontinae. It is actually surprising that they haven't been available since they're natural range is pretty much all of South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia according to the EMBL database). They grow to about 3 feet and one female was found with 17 eggs in her.

Sacha

Natural Elaphe Collection (guess I have to change the title)

If I ever see them offered I'll let you know.
John

Yeah right, after you purchased them

I heard from Soe. He put a pic of one of the hatchlings up on his site. It's a much better picture than the ones I took.
John

John, I believe the genus is rear-fanged and a constrictor (maybe not fanged). One of the cooler neotropical colubrids. There's quite a bit of literature in the various books on areas like S. A. herps, Trinidad and Tobago, etc. TC.

>>How big does it get? Is it rear-fanged? Is it a constrictor. Where did you get your information on it? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera? The pictures you include are very interesting.
>>Best regards
>>John

nt

Wow, that's a very pretty snake there. The juvenile patterning reminds me of a ringed python baby. The only exception is, these actually turn PRETTY.

Bry

Sacha, cool pic of the oxy. I agree with you on those. I also like the dwarf boas a lot. Let me know if you ever get babies with those. Thanks....TC.

Yes, the Oxys are indeed beautiful. I didn't shoot the pic though. I found it on another website.

Well, let me get the Dwarf Boas first I do hope to breed them some day, but I bet the babies are going to be a challenge to raise.

Sacha

Hello, Sacha. No problem..just letting you know there's someone with similar interests in the boas. Good luck with those. I'd like to keep posted on their progress

Regards,

Terry

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. A nice schrencki or two...and maybe a couple flavirufa

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. Mandarin ratsnakes...I've heard horror stories about their sensitivity (especially as WCs), and at the price they go for...I don't feel comfy enough to delve in this species yet

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
As of right now, it's a 4-way tie: I have pairs of corns, TX rats, emoryi, and spilotes

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. Spilotes

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. it's hard to beat a large, well-built bullsnake...Great Plains Milks (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis) are pretty sweet too

6. What your favorite boid.
A. a nicely colored jungle carpet

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Canebrake rattler

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. cypress, although I use newspaper for a large majority of my snakes...I use cypress for those who need the added humidity...at $30/bag of cypress, I think it's a logical choice...

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake keeper) easiest?
A. humidity guns and self-cleaning cages

...as a favorite colubrid? The ontogenetic color change is nothing short of amazing.

or high red line. Plus keeping them is as easy as pie. Whereas that incredible indigo is really hard work!!!
But I guess there's room for both over the course of a snake-keeping lifetime.
Regards
John

Here's a pic of my female bull. As you can see, she's in blue, so her yellows don't show too well here.

Coast to coast, Canada to Mexico. And with as much right to the name of ratsnake as a scalaris or radiata.

Since reading about and seeing photos of bulls in Kauffeld's "The Keeper and the Kept" I've always liked them. There's a picture in that small pit book by Walls (I think) showing a huge bullsnake crawling over and through a wire fence. I always imagined it would be very cool to live somewhere that I could see a huge bull like that travelling across my yard on its way to getting one of the pesky squirrels there. I've got a couple of generic bullsnakes (father and son unfortunately). No allure of locale or morph but very great in their own way.
John

>>1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
Spilotes
>>
>>2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
Probably mandarins or coxi because of the cool ambients they need. I live in S. Florida....
>>
>>3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
1.1 corns and 1.1 yellows
>>4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
that's a tough one, but probably yellows
>>5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
Fl Kings
>>6. What your favorite boid.
Amazon Tree Boa
>>7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
I've always been a sucker for copperheads and cottonmouths/cantils
>>
>>8. What's your favorite substrate?
Depending on the species, either newspaper or aspen, with cypress mulch a close second
>>9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
>>keeper) easiest?
That's a tough one, and I can't really think of anything.....

Pictured is my big male ATB. Enjoy!

Cook's TB. It bit me every chance I gave it and refused to thrive. But that was back in the dark ages (1972) and nowadays it must be down to a science.

I've got the opposite situation from you. Up here in the gloom and cold of New England coxi and mandarina are easier to keep than heat-loving tropicals. But a nice yellow ratsnake could be managed.
Thanks for the post
John

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. albino emori

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. gonyosoma. They're big snakes and I'm short on space.

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. taiwan beauties

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. mandarina

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. Thais is a tough one I like em all

6. What your favorite boid.
A. Emerald Tree Boa

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. Gaboon Viper

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. aspen

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
A. Inexpensive cold mat to brumate (I live in South Florida and it never stays cold too long)
-----
Joe

definitely a work of art
John

John, that's an awesome Mandarin. It's a Sichuan, isn't it? Looks like mine with the dots in the blotches.

Joe, do you keep Mandarins in s. FL?

Terry

I got them from Rex this year. I've got a pair coming in from Germany soon that are also nice. I'll put up some photos as soon as I get them.
Regards
John

Can't wait to see the ones from Germany. There's some fantastic Mandarins over there, especially the Vietnamese.

Rex has some really nice Mandarins. I got my Sichuans from him last year. One's a yearling and one's two yrs. old. Looking forward to seeing what the adults look and act like.

I think I told you that I might have to give up working with mandarina when we move to AZ in about four yrs. The problem I'm thinking about is not so much the heat, but rather the dryness. My mandarins do great in n. MI, but they do sometimes have a little trouble with partial sheds, especially when the heat is on a lot in the Herp Room. I have to put a moist hide in while they're in the shed cycle, then they have a complete shed.

I hope I don't have to give them up. They are an awesome snake and much hardier and easy to keep than people give them credit for. They are becoming very affordable too

TC

>>I got them from Rex this year. I've got a pair coming in from Germany soon that are also nice. I'll put up some photos as soon as I get them.
>>Regards
>>John

I'm sure you'll be able to figure a way to keep them happy. They're too pretty to part with.
Regards
John

Here goes

1. What's the next new (for you) species of ratsnake you intend to get?
A. Tiger ratsnake

2. What species of ratsnakes do you like but won't get and why?
A. situla and many others but have to limit myself to something (NA ratsnakes) or I wouldnt have a place to sleep

3. What species of ratsnake do you have the most of (how many individuals or pairs)?
A. lindheimeri, 23

4. If you could have only one species of ratsnake what would it be?
A. lindheimeri

5. What's your favorite non-ratsnake colubrid?
A. red phase western coachwhip

6. What your favorite boid.
A. green tree python

7. What's your favorite venomous (regardless of whether you would keep venomous)?
A. lepidus

8. What's your favorite substrate?
A. aspen shavings

9. What innovative product would make your life (as a snake
keeper) easiest?
A. Not much of an inventor yours sounds cool. Cheap pre made rack systems?

that's a cool looking snake but can they be kept? The only racer-type I ever kept was a black racer back in the 1970's and he bit me every chance he got and struck at the glass until I couldn't stand it anymore and covered it over. After that I never kept any again, but always liked the look of the whole family. I was wondering if things have advanced or are the racers still basically too ornery to keep.
John

Hi John,

You may have noticed that I also listed the red-phase W. coachwhip as my favorite "non-ratsnake" colubrid so I'll stick my head in here. I'll be interested to read Travis' comments as well.

I was lucky enough to purchase two red phase W. coachwhips back in the early 90's. I also kept a true red coachwhip that was stunning.

I've also kept other forms/localities of coachwhips & whipsnakes as well as three or four types of racers. I consider myself to be somewhat experienced with both Genera, although I never kept any for more than two years and never attempted to breed them. I'm guessing I've kept about 25 or 30 specimens of both genera off and on over the years.

Regardless, I found the Masticophis ssp. to be much better "pets" than Coluber spp. All of my Masticophis calmed down, usually pretty quickly. Although I did have Racers I could handle just about every specimen would bite once in a while.

I also found Masticophis to be better feeders in captivity, especially juveniles.

I would gladly keep Masticophis again, especially the Red W. Coachwhips. Keep in mind, though, that I just naturally gravitate to the fast/aggressive stuff.
-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

NT

Thats funny someone else listed that snake as a favorite non-ratsnake colubrid.
I personally have never kept one so Chris' response is much more qualified.
I have heard of people keeping them in captivity and believe they require a larger inclosure to "move around". As Chris eluded to I beleive masticophis to be better captive feeders than the coluber. As far as their temperment thats why the're called "N"asticophis.

That's probably reason enough to try keeping them. Glad to hear someone has had success with them.
Regards
John