Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'll keep the specifics out of this because it really cant be helped by the person I bought them from......
I saw some pix of a male rat snake (type undisclosed to you, the reader of this narrative to prevent speculation or any tarnishing of the person I purchased from, they really have nothing to do with this). REALLY liked what I saw, and was told by said breeder that the female wasnt quite as colorful, but still a good match.
So I hemmed and hawed, and then got an email stating "hey Tom, Im down to my last pair, I'll cut you a deal on them" so I went for it. This was last fall.
Now, one of the snakes is basically maintaining it's pattern, and just getting some size on it, whereas the other snake is really starting to muddy up the more and more it sheds. Colors are coming out that I really didnt even expect. This is a bad thing. The pattern is washing out.
Im pretty bummed about it. Prolly gonna get rid of the snakes.
Is this a typical thing when you get the last of the litter?
The newborns both looked GREAT when they arrived back in the fall.
How often does this happen? I realize it's hard to accurately answer my question without knowing the kind of snake, but I feel that keeping the other party out of this is only the respectable thing to do. If I mention the kind of snake, that only gives you a handful of folks who are dealing with that type.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

Unfortunately there is no fool proof way to know what a snake will look like as it ages. Sure, you can guess and have a pretty good idea but they can vary so much. I dont think it has anything to do with it being the last of the bunch. I have some baby corn snakes from last year that all have different colors and patterns. Some have become brighter, others have faded slightly. Thats just the way it is. Most snakes tend to dull with age anyway. If they were just normal rats, then thats just the way it was supposed to look. Hope this helped.

EP
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1.5 balls
2.1.8 corns(candy cane, creamsicle, ghost, 4 normal,
4 anery )
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
1 fish
1 mouse
3.3 cats

I would keep the fading one around for awhile and see how it turns out as it ages. Besides, how can you be sure it's not carrying the most beautiful color gene you ever seen if you don't prove her out first? I wouldn't give up if I were you...

Do YOU know what kind of ratsnakes these are? That part was a little unclear. If so, please share. Ratsnake babies have some very striking patterns. Many species change a LOT over time. Actually, only a very FEW retain their juvie patterns. Did you not know this?

Why get rid of the animals? How long have you had them? How are they other than the fact that their looks are changing. Have they turned out to be healthy and are they taming up well?

We don't and won't think less of the seller just because the babies changed how they look. Not his/her fault.

How many other snakes do you have right now? Are you simply getting tired of them? C'mon.....Tell us what kind of ratsnakes you bought, if you know. Duffy

Yea, I certainly know my way around North American Ratsnakes. And I also know what kind of snakes these are. Im not some silly little kid who bought a baby black rat and Im bummed that the snake is becoming all solid black.
Heres the deal. Lets say I bought some Okeetee corns. This is not what they are, but lets just say.....
So the babies start out with brilliant coloration on them and a real striking pattern. As they grow bigger, their saddles start to fade away and the whole snake starts to become this washed out brown color. You can no longer see the saddles anymore and the orange and red are all faded out to a dirt brown color.
This is certainly not what is to be expected of a corn snake. I've seen some ugly corn snakes in my time in NC. All browned out with faded lines and stuff.
I dont wanna make a HUGE issue out of this. I just wanted to get some feedback about other experiences with snakes not turning out how you wanted them to, and in a bad way, not a good way.
I've had other friends check out my dilemma and their first reaction upon seeing the snake compared to it's subling is "Uggh, whats going on there? Bummer dude, but that other ones pretty nice still"
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

If it's ANY species of North American Ratsnake, that won't point towards any breeder in particular. And even if it did...It just doesn't matter. It's clear you are not dis'ing the breeder.

As far as snakes not turning out the way you want: If mine eat, grow, thrive and don't bite me when I pick 'em up...I feel like a winner. All else is a bonus. I have a baby Baird's that I kinda hope turns out to be half the screamer that we've seen pics of in the ratsnake forums. But, if when all is said and done, he winds up a dull grey with little or no colors...I can already tell he's gonna be a great snake. And, no, I won't dump him.

So...What kind of snake are we talking about here? How about pics? And what percentage of YOUR snakes have actually turned out "the way you wanted them to"? Duffy

I just wanted to hear about experiences, the details arent really that important.
Im not gonna crack....
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

I just started a new post. It is entitled "A GROWING CONCERN - PLEASE REPLY" in this forum. I suggest you read it.

Snakes are living, breathing, emotive creatures.

If you had a dog, that was hit by a car, and had to have it's leg amputated as a result, would you abandon him?

If your child, who, as a baby, was beautiful, turned out to be a considerably ugly juvenile, would you send her out to fend for herself? Dump her? Give her up? Sell her?

If you don't get my point, you need to take a good, hard look at yourself.

Just my two cents worth.

uuuummmmmmmm not sure if I completely agree with you there. That may have been a little harsh. As long as he is still taking good care of them and, to the best of his ability, lets them go to another home where they will be taken care of, what should you care. I see what your saying, I myself am looking to work with just 3 species for breeding and was thinking about getting rid of some of my current collection. After some thought though we decided to keep everyone because we had taken on that responsibility. As long as the snakes go to a good home, and we educate people as much as possible, the rest is up to the caretaker. Just my opinion.

EP
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1.5 balls
2.1.8 corns(candy cane, creamsicle, ghost, 4 normal,
4 anery )
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
1 fish
1 mouse
3.3 cats

I apoligise if i seemed harsh. Was in a bad mood - just got back from a reptile house for neglected animals.

It just really annoys me to see so many animals just given up. I guess i just get a little to involved.

I can see why you might have felt pretty frustrated after coming away from an abandoned reptile situation, but that's no excuse to assume that I just got sick of my animals and was gonna just let 'em starve to death, or throw 'em in the trash or some other stupid "explative".
All I said was that I was dissappointed in how they turned out. They're available for sale now.
I can appreciate that you feel so strongly about the care of animals and such......but your little rampage was quite uncalled for.
I pride myself on the fact that I take a keen interest in animals well being. How well do you know me? I have no clue who you are.
Each time you post here, it's important that you're being responsible about what you're saying and to whom you're saying it. Re-read what you've typed 2 or 3 times and make sure you're saying what you mean, and nothing more. As you continue to post here, you build a reputation by your attitude, demeanor, and "ability to play well with others". Your credibility goes down each time you lay into someone, and then come back later on and have to apologize about it.
Ya know what, Im done ranting......
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

Spent a lot of time researching my first snake and decided on an Okeetee cornsnake. Picked one up at a show. Heres a baby pic:

Heres an adult pic:

As far as being an Okeetee I'm disappointed in his colors but he's still my favorite snake. I bought another Okeetee online (Abbott bloodlines) and asked to see pics of both parents before buying which is still no guarantee.