Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently have a ball python and am debating about eventually getting a rat snake for my wife. She worked with an albino black rat snake where she used to work and loved it. I know that there is a big difference between the two but I wanted to get opinions on what considerations I need to think about related to caring for a rat snake vs the bp.
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

It doesn't get much easier than a black ratsnake. My very first snake was (is) an albino black rat. I still have her (and 12 others, mostly ratsnakes). North American Ratsnakes are pretty "user-friendly" in general. The black rats especially.
Room temps with a heat pad at one end (depending on what temps you keep your room at, of course). You don't have to worry too much about humidity unless there are shedding problems. Black rats are great snakes. Duffy

I agree, Black Rat Snakes are almost always very hardy and easy to keep. If you've been keeping a Ball Python healthy, you won't have a problem with a rat. I have encountered some Black Rats with a pretty mean attitude though, but I've also seen Ball's with attitude. You'll be alright. Tom
-----
1.0 Albino Bumese
1.0 Columbian Boa
1.0 Mexican King
1.1 Alterna Gray Bands
2.1 Speckled Kings (1 albino pair)
1.0 Melanistic? California King
1.1 Bull Snakes
1.1 Red Milks
1.1 Black Pines
1.0 Red Northern Pine
0.1 Mexican Black King

Thanks for the info! Now all I have to do is get an enclosure together and start shopping! Thanks!
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids