Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My name is Aaron. I'm 15 and live in Saint Joseph, Missouri. We live in a big 100 old home and I have personally killed 30 mice within the 1 1/2 - 2 years we have lived here. Last year we had a big black snake behind our kitchen cabinets, but he left through a hole before I could catch him. Our basement is very warm and dry. Well, 2 days ago my sister woke me up because we had a little grey rat snake on our mouse trap (not the old ones that bend all the way back, but the news ones that only open halfway). After some persuasion my dad has decided to let me keep it and we brought a 10 gallon with a screen lid, I put some rabbit bedding in and got a stainless steel dish for him. I used my turtles old flouresent light on top and put my old iguanas heat rock in there. I have a few outside sticks in there and 2 toilet paper rolls. First question is, why isn't it hibernating? It's freezing here but I guess it could be that he was living in my basement. He is small though. Second question, today my mom brought 2 of those things you plug in the wall and they have a little fan that blows scented oil into the room. Is it okay for him to be smelling these scents? I'm sure he smells them all the time in the wild though. Thrid, the 10 gallon is just for now, I want to buy a 260 gallon reptarium after Christmas (I'll probably get $$ for Christmas).Fourth, how old will he be when he reaches his maximum size so I can put him in this huge reptarium? I understand anywhere from 3-6ft. Fifth, do you think he'll be okay after the trap attack? I can't see any injuries and he seems to be doing great. Sixth, should I hibernate it or is it more risk than needed? Oh, and for the record, yes I know heat rocks are very dangerous so I'll be removing it soon and replacing the flourescent bulb in the old light. It ate a frozen pinkie yesterday and I've seen it drinking water a couple of times. The pet shop said try one more pinkie but he didn't eat it. Everything sound okay? The first day he was very aggressive, but now I can hold him anytime I want with no trouble (yes I know not to hold him until 48hrs after he has ate).

Oh, and if I'm correct I shouldn't use that heat rock also because the snake could smell the iguana scent right?

Obsoleta (Rat Snakes)are absolutely great snakes. I suspect you found a baby Black Rat. Greys and Blacks look pretty much the same as hatchlings and your area, I think, is outside the accepted range of Grey Rats. He will reach "adult size" at about 3 years. That said, he won't stop growing. Snakes continue to grow throughout their life but at a reduced rate. With a typical feeding regimen, your snake would probably be about 4-4.5 feet long in 3 years. Black Rats typically reach around 5-6 feet but they can reach 7 or 8 feet! Why isn't he brumating? That's a good question. I suspect he has been in your basement for a while and the temps are warm enough that he has felt a need to brumate. Others may disagree with me but I don't think you need to brumate him this year. I would be more comfortable knowing he was well fed and established in his new "home" before I did that. By that time, the winter will be well underway and Spring peeking around the corner. Personally, I don't brumate any of my juvenile snakes and they have always done fine. The fact that he ate already is a great sign. Let's talk about that giant reptarium. That thing is huge and way, way bigger than you would ever need for an adult Obsoleta. You might consider p[utting that money into nicer furnishings for smaller enclosure. I great set up sure makes the viewing more fun. Most people keep them in something between 20 and 40 gallon tanks. I generally say I want my snake enclosures to be at least half of the snake's length and the width at least a third of the snake's length. Personally, i actually go bigger than that because, like you I suspect, I like to make a little more elaborate set up. The room odorizer is an interesting point. Snakes are very sensitive to smells and, if the scent is strong, it could bother him. I don't have odorizers in my snake room. If nothing else, it makes it easier to smell when the snake's have left something for me to clean. I don't think the Iguana smell would be an issue for your snake. Tired of reading yet? good luck and let us know how he does.

>>I think it would be a good idea to get an under tank heater, as soon as possible, to replace the heat rock. Heat rocks can malfunction and cause serious burns to your snake.
As Mark said, you really won't need anything as large as the 260 gallon vivarium. Spend the money on something smaller and get all the right stuff.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

What about this, I could do the 100 gallon reptarium which has the perfect width and length to place on a 75 gallon aquarium stand, except it's taller than the aquarium. That would look good and gain me and bandit some height. I have a gold fish in his water bowel because the thought of watching a live pinky was kinda cruel to me. Is there any medical procedures I should follow as he is a wild caught snake? Things like diseases that could be prevented with shots or something?

I don't think he will eat the fish. Let us know if he does. Try to get him on frozen mice. There are lots of posts on how to do this. Moving the mouse in front of his face and getting him to strike at it goes a long way to getting them to eat the dead mouse.

Best of luck with the little guy. They are great snakes.

Rick