Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I had some free time and was wondering if I could get a few answers from some rat snakes pros. I was at a herp show a few weeks ago and a seller had an absolutely gorgeous Trans Pecos rat snake for sale. The actual seller was away for the time being and had his young son watch the table, so when i asked him about the rat snake he didn't know and didn't want me handling it. My question to you is, are Trans Pecos rats generally handleable? I have read that they are placid like a corn snake, but wondered if that was true, why they weren't any more popular as they are?

Another set of questions to you are directed toward red-tailed green ratsnakes. I understand that these are normally a nervous and aggressive snake. Have any of you ever tried setting one of these up in a naturalistic setup? I own a green tree python and some other arboreal snakes and was wondering if these snakes would make goods use of climbing areas and such. I am not so much interested in handling, just viewing. I am not looking to purchase anything yet, but if I do i will be sure to buy CB only.

Thanks for the replies.

Joe
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2.2 Solomen Island ground boas
0.1 Solomen Island tree boa
1.0 green tree python
1.0 jungle carpet python
1.0 coastal carpet python
1.0 Boa constrictor imperator
0.1 Borneo short-tailed (blood) python
0.0.1 CB Florida banded water snake

>>I was at a herp show a few weeks ago and a seller had an absolutely gorgeous Trans Pecos rat snake for sale... I have read that they are placid like a corn snake, but wondered if that was true, why they weren't any more popular as they are?

I have never understood this either, although I've not worked with them myself in many years. Regardless, I'll leave that to others.

>>Another set of questions to you are directed toward red-tailed green ratsnakes. I understand that these are normally a nervous and aggressive snake.

Yes, and pretty darn fast. I've worked with Mambas and Taipans that were easier to handle. But they're worth it.

>>Have any of you ever tried setting one of these up in a naturalistic setup?

I have, although all of my current specimens are housed in pretty boring plastic boxes. That will change once I buy a house (hopefully soon).

I was wondering if these snakes would make goods use of climbing areas and such.

They do, but there seems to be many factors. If you keep a lot of them I can almost guarantee you that at least one will never leave it's terrestrial hide. But set up a well planted terrarium and have vertical thermal gradiants and I think you'll enjoy one of these.

>>I will be sure to buy CB only.

Also consider some of the babies born to gravid imports. Ben Siegal has these about every year.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Transpecos are some of the most peaceful snakes I've seen. I had one w/c many years ago that was nippy for a while but that is the odd exception. To my experience, TPR's require smaller food than other ratsnakes of the same size and also not as frequent feeding. They can have some problems with humidity. Mine do well (at 2.5') on a hopper mouse every two weeks. I keep them on aspen.

A set up for a green tree Python would work for a Gonysoma provided there was enough room for the snake to move as these are more active than the pythons. They frequently are nippy.

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

Trans pecos rats are wonderful snakes. I asked the same question you did about their popularity to a few of the bigger name breeders at last month's East Texas show here in Houston. Don Soderberg told me he rarely brings them to Houston because they don't sell well here. John Cherry told me that he (like many others here in Southeast Texas) can't get them to thrive because of the humidity.
Like Rearfang said, humidity can be a major issue with subocs. In fact, I think it is THE crucial issue. They to be kept dry, or else they regurgitate and become highly stressed. I keep all four of mine in very well ventilated cages. I also keep them indoors at temperatures that are a little cooler then what you'd normally read, approx 70 on the cool side and 80-85 on the warm side. They are all doing well.
I also agree with rearfang concerning food size. Smaller is better. I usually give the adults one adult mouse every week to ten days. I feed the younger ones a little more often, but not too much at a time.
As far as Gonysoma, The only one I've ever met was a wild caught adult my Dad bought at a flea market a few years back. It was the meanest snake I've ever met. Whenever I would visit, my Dad would make a joke out of daring me to handle it!
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

Thanks to all of you. I sure do regret that I didn't purchase that Trans Pecos, it was so cool. It is one of those snakes that has been on my wish list for a long time. One of these days I'll pick one up (or a young pair). As far as a red-tail green is concerned, I think i am also willing to try one of these out also. To me, they are stunning. I've been so caught up in this whole boid thing for a few years that I've nearly forgotten about all the other snakes I wanted to keep. thanks again for the info.

Joe
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2.2 Solomen Island ground boas
0.1 Solomen Island tree boa
1.0 green tree python
1.0 jungle carpet python
1.0 coastal carpet python
1.0 Boa constrictor imperator
0.1 Borneo short-tailed (blood) python
0.0.1 CB Florida banded water snake