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Elaphe climacophora

I'm getting one of Ben Siegel's striped hatchlings. All I can really find is that they are "easy to care for." Any specific recommendations as to temperature and humidity would be appreciated.

Hey--I have one of Ben Siegel's normal blotched Japanese Ratsnake hatchlings; had him for a couple of months...I heard they like it a bit cooler than NA Ratsnakes, moderate humidity...Mine is kept in a plastic Critter Keeper with a heating pad set on low on one side, the other side room temp. (about 68-71 degrees this time of year); he does seem to prefer the cool side, but will curl up on the warmer side just after he's eaten...he's been a very hardy little snake; eats like a pig (three pinkies every 7 days), sheds with no trouble, active, alert, and easy to handle...Hopefully others will have more information...

SR

Kunishiri Island is one of the northernmost of Japan's islands, better than 45* N. lat. These snakes are from the northernmost part of their range and are thus likely adapted to cold winters and short summers, whereas climacophora from the southern part of the range would behave differently probably. That's important because they can digest at cooler temps than most N.A. ratsnakes and they have a fairly short season before they think it's going to be winter. I don't think they like different temps overall than other ratsnakes, however. I think they would still do well at 72-82*F ambient temps, maybe with a warm spot for heating up. Climacophora is probably more like N.A. ratsnakes than any other Asian ratsnake, imho, in that they are less racer-like than other Asians. They probably like a fair amt. of humidity. I provide large water jugs and occasionally spray my Asian species.

TC

I keep them just like my NA stuff. Generally 75-80*Farenheit, 45-50% humidity. Very hardy, easy to keep snakes! Mine have seemed to almost thrive on having a long winter period at 45-50*. That includes juviniles. All the hatchlings I've had thus far, required brumation before they had their first meals, with exception for one baby this year.

I'm looking forward to continuing my work with these guys and getting into a few of the other "cooler" temped ratsnakes. Hopefully I can work things out and get a male for my Russian rat soon too...

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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

Conrad, that a great looking climac, and encourages me to post a pic.

I keep several cool-adapted Eurasians: situla, bimaculata, dione, and mandarina. They have a lot of great qualities and make very interesting captives

Terry

PS: Schrencki is one of the most cool-adapted and a great snake too!

Yeah, I just picked up my first situla at the last show. He's a great little snake! I'm really looking at going more in this direction now...I'll never loose my interest in my beauties though!...
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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

Yeah, situla is a cool little species, but I think I'm going to discontinue this species eventually because of other interests and lack of space. I'm going to breed my calico taeniura next spring, but I'll probably move out all my taeniura next year also for similar reasons. Taeniura is a great, hardy species, but just too big for me, and I have so little space ;(

Terry

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Ratsnake Haven...researching ratsnakes since 1988

Ratsnake Haven Group...an information providing list site.

Hey, well...if that calico is too much for you I'll gladly pay to have it shipped here! lol
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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

>>Elaphe climacophora
>>
>>I'm getting one of Ben Siegel's striped hatchlings. All I can really find is that they are "easy to care for." Any specific recommendations as to temperature and humidity would be appreciated.

Call me crazy but it seems to me that the most logical thing to do would be to ask Ben Seigel.
I bet he could even send you a care sheet with the snake.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

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Yeah, I asked them already, but they didn't breed these. They are CB imports from Germany. They don't have a care sheet. They are keeping these hatchlings around 70-85.

Thanks for everyone's input. Conrad, thanks for the tip. Since these are already feeding well (according to Ben), I think I'll try to skip brumation this year. Also, I have a workshop connected to the house that gets fairly cold in the winter, but I've never tracked the temps inside it for brumation purposes(it's about 60 in there right now - I live in western NY). So this winter I will track the temps to see if it will be suitable. I also have a juvie Cal king that I'll be keeping awake this winter.

When in doubt, give them a choice. My Herp Room drops from about 80*F, daytime (in off season), to about 70*, or less, at night. During the winter it even lower on ave (MI). If you're worried about your babies, put a heat strip under their cage, then they can choose which temps they prefer. Don't be surprised if they go long periods w/o eating, however

TC

Mine do very well at a temp 75-78F (I'm in S. Fla) I keep them on Aspen in which they spend a lot of time burrowing. Juv's seem to love occasional misting.

TME...the species will go on periodic fasts lasting a couple of months, then will feed ferociously for another few. Summer seems to be the most frequent time for this fasting behavior.

The good news is they are a very hardy species.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."