Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are your rat snakes primarily diurnal or nocturnal at this time of year? My black rat only comes out at night. She only came out at daytime during the first few days I had her. Now she pokes her head out from her hide at sunset and is roaming all night. What do most of your snakes do in July?
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-Andy

Both of mine are out during both the day and night. Most of the time they have their heads and neck sticking out of the hides. Like they are looking for some unlucky mouse to stop by for dinner!! LOL
Although the last few days my larger black rat has taken to hanging out on top of his hide. Pretty funny, he is all coiled up on top of it, just chillin out!
Brian

Both of my Russians are out and about day and night. They spend as much time in the vines and branches as they do on the ground. They also spend a lot of time laying in their water bowl. Right now our daytime temperatures here in Salt Lake City are close to 100 degrees, if not above that, so its a challenge to keep their temps at between 65-75 degrees. They do take little "cat naps" during the day but are out traveling into the late evening, and again in the early morning just as it becomes light.
Scott

Both of my Russians are out and about day and night. They spend as much time in the vines and branches as they do on the ground. They also spend a lot of time laying in their water bowl. Right now our daytime temperatures here in Salt Lake City are close to 100 degrees, if not above that, so its a challenge to keep their temps at between 65-75 degrees. They do take little "cat naps" during the day but are out traveling into the late evening, and again in the early morning just as it becomes light.
Scott

Scott,

TC

Hi Terry,
Thanks for the information. Since I live in a dry location, I use an evaporative cooler as well as a humidifier in my home. Currently I am running about 70-80 percent humidity in the Russians' enclosure. My Amurs seem to go into the water during the hottest part of the day, as both sides of their enclosure is about the same temperature this time of year, around 75-85 degrees. They don't really curl up in the water, instead they will crawl through it and stop along the way and lay there with part of their body submerged. They are in a 55 gallon glass tank with a screen top. I get the feeling that the glass might tend to hold in heat. There is a Reptile Expo here the first part of August, and I am thinking of either getting a different enclosure or at least getting some ideas for building a new and bigger enclosure for them. Maybe something that allows better ventilation from the outside. I love these Amurs and if you have any additional suggestions, please share them with me. Thanks again!
Scott

Hiya, Scott.

I love those Amur Ratsnakes too. They are exquisite and exotic and very nice to look at ta boot, not to mention hardy as Hal. (Ever see any video footage of the Amur Region in spring/summer. Awesome. I have one tape of a Russian climbing a tree. It gives more appreciation of the snake.)

I don't think your aquarium/terrarium setup with the open top should present any problem. I use aquariums too. They are very versatile, especially the ones you can pick up.

Your setup sounds nice. You should do very well with them. Good luck with those guys. Later,

TC

Wow Terry!! I have never seen a pic of an Amur in its natural habitat, let alone a video of one. I can imagine they are great climbers though, as both of mine love to climb around the Mimosa tree in my yard when I take them out in the evening. One other thing I am discovering, is their constrictive strength. They like to hang around my neck it seems, and when they are getting a secure hold, they are TIGHT!! I had read they are large bodied and strong as adults, but even as youngsters, they hold their own in the strength division. I am sure a lot of the other ratsnakes are strong like this too, but these two Amurs are the very first ratsnakes I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. I have to say it is a great thing to take these first steps into the world of ratsnakes and these two Amurs have the sole responsibility of me becoming addicted to ratsnakes.
Thanks again for your knowledge and help.
Scott

Some of my rats come out only during the day, some only during the night, some are crepuscular, and some are diurnal in spring, but more nocturnal this time of year. It depends on variables like what species it is, what your location is, what your daily high temp is in your snake room, and others. For instance: with the black ratsnake, it is normally diurnal in spring and fall, but can become nocturnal during the hot summer months.

TC

Hmmm, yes, I think that's why she's only out at night. My house is about 80 degrees when the sun sets and it drops to 75 over the course of the night, so she's rather warm at night. She's also small, and a bit shy. If she is out and I come to watch her, she usually sneaks back into her hide. She's getting accustomed to handling though, and she'll be a very cool snake one day.

Another question: In your experience, do albino snakes tend to avoid the light more?
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-Andy

In my limited experience with albinos I would have to say yes, but I would imagine there are some that aren't too shy.

He is always up when I get to his cage unfortunately he is my most aggressive snake ( I have one B.C.imperator, a few lampropeltis, P.M.bivittatus,& a Liasis M.Macklotti) so i don't handle him.