Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a WC male Black rat Snake from York Co. Va. He is a great eater. He gets three f/t mice to eat once a week. The photos were taken just after feeding him. He is almost solid black on top. Almost no white shows on his back. The good news is that I have a female from the same area that looks just like him, and I will be breeding them in the early spring after their cool down. Look for more posts on this process next year. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Sorry for the typo.

Rick

Very nice. You must be right next to me Rick. Here is a couple of pics of two different black rats found, and released, in James City co. Va. right next door to York co. These pics were at the York River State Park.

Steve

This one was solid black. York River State Park, on a different day then above.

Steve

These were snakes rescued by a friend in York Co. I live in Norfolk myself. I think that we have here in S.E. Virginia, color wise, some of the nicest looking Black Rats that can be found anywhere in the country. That almost solid black dorsal coloring is what I like about them.

The posts of Black Rats from the more western part of their range seem to show much more pattern. I seem to remember that Hotshot has posted some great photos of his Mo. Black Rat, but it was nowhere near as dark.

Then again, I have never seen a photo of a P. o. ssp. that I didn't like. At this time I have five Black Rats. I think that I am hooked.

I agree. Here in Va. most of the ones I see tend to be almost solid black. I have one black rat at the time, and he's getting pretty dark. Have you been to the zoo in Norfolk? They have a nice collection, including that good looking Indigo on exibit.
Steve

I haven't been to the Zoo in years, but I will make it a point to take my sisters little girl to see the reptiles. (She keeps Box Turtles.)

Hello, I live on the Western side of the black rat's range (Missouri). There is nothing better than a solid black rat. I have a question about the black rats in your area. How old are they when they have finished aquiring their adult color (solid Black)?

Black rats can vary in the western part of the range, however the ones in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas can be very black. The ones in your pictures look very similar. Nice snakes by the way. Alan,

Beautiful animal. Good luck breeding them and look forward to seeing what the babies look like.

TC

Those are beautys,
I would suggest you ccheck Va law before breeding them though.I understand thaat here in Va,it is illegal to possess more than five wildtypes of any native species.I do KNOW that aside from Eastern KingmMole King,and Corn Snake,it is illegal to sell any wildtype natives,and those three listed with a permit only.
Again,I may be wrrong,but I have been told these things,I help a propogate and sell permit ffor some time,but it was difficcult to cover the $80.oo annual expense with just a few pairs of corns

Bear

How's it going? You going to the Manassas show tomorow? If not, I'm sure I'll run into you at the next show in Richmond. Take care,

Steve

Thanks for the tip. I will have to look it up.