Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks for your help identifying my snake. I have pictures of another as well. This one is much smaller and loves earth worms. They live together with no problems (for now) They spend a lot of time coiled together on the heated side of the tank.
I would also appreciate any advice on the enclosure as well. It is a 20 gallon tank (12x12x30". There is a heating pad on the left side set on medium heat. I have a drinking bowl and a soaking bowl. Rocks to hide under on each end and a screen top with clips. The substrate is crushed walnut shells I purchased at the pet store. That is what they were using. I also have plans for a climbing limb. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. (photo of enclosure in my gallery along with a better shot of the rat snake)
An Id on the little snake that I saved from death in the girls locker room here at school would be helpful as well.

Will my black rat snake get darker or lighter. will her pattern get more visible or less...sooo many questions!!

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Your black rat will get darker, and probably lose the majority of its pattern, if not all of it (it varies, really, from snake to snake). Also, you might want to consider housing them separately for a number of reasons. Suffice it to say, it's better that way, both for the snakes (they're huddled together not because they like each other, but rather because they both want to be in the spot in the cage that has the best conditions insofar as heat, humidity, etc, and they've found it right on top of each other), and it'll make it easier for you to trouble shoot should something happen to one or the other. Also, once the black rat gets bigger, it might just eat the other snake. Good luck.

I appreciate your response. Another enclosure is in the works. I didnt want to keep the brown snake at first, but it is very useful for getting the more shy students to "take a chance" and get to know a herp. Besides, she was caught in the girls locker room and she is famous all over CCMS!

I wish the rat snake would keep her (??) pattern, maybe some breeding is in store down the line. I am reading that a year or two of maturity is nessesary for this. She is 23" long now, so I'm guessing she is pretty young. I am putting a pic of the enclosure up. I hope it isn't too bad for now, bigger and better things are to come, but it will have to be next paycheck!

Thanks again

Quick question: can those snakes actually get under the rocks? I can't tell from this angle, but they look to be pretty flat. The point I'm trying to make is that the snake should be able to hide itself completely from view and be comfortable there. Insofar as breeding goes, someone else will have to chime in on that, but I think people usually wait until they're older.

absolutly. The big rocks are suported by smaller ones that are covered by substrate. The brownsnake tends to burrow where ever. the rat snake will hide under the bigger rocks when she sees fit. The only way to see her when she is under there is to move the top rock or stick your head all the way in and upside down. I cant wait to get a bigger enclosure and do a better job as far as climbing stuff.

but i'd say with a length of 23 inches it was probably a yearling. i've never bred them... hopefully mike or some experienced breeder will pop in with a comment here... but id probably wait another 3 years.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
N. American Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Monty)

Thanks Chris. Yeah, I can wait a few more years to breed this snake. I is my first attempt at keeping one. I believe it is a female due to the way its tail tapers very evenly. That is all I have had time to read so far. I know that there are better ways to sex a snake, I just need to read a bit more.
It will take me a while to fully understand all of the hereditary and genetic stuff for breeding anyway.

I will try the pic of the little snake (eats worms) again. Sorry for the screw up.

Jason