Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult WC Texas Rat that has been a guest of mine for a few weeks. We have decided to get another Ball Python, so I would like to release this guy back into the wild to make room. My question is, what would you consider to be the minimum outdoor temp or weather situation for a Rat snake release. The forecast for this weekend is for sunny weather with a high of 70. Is that going to be warm enough? The lows are going to be in the 30s, so I am also concerned abouit giving him enough time to go find a place that will be warm enough to deal with that. Is it a good idea to release him into that situation, or should I just wait until the spring?

The snake thanks you.

The snake will need time to find a place to over winter. You want to wait until the highs are around 80 F. and the lows are around 60 F. and expected to stay that way for about a week to give the snake a chance. It also needs to be returned to where you caught it. It will know that area and where to look.

Thanks, Elaphefan. I thought that might be too cool, and not enough time for him to get settled. Looks like he will stay with me until the spring.

I would first ask you how long you have had the snake. Releasing a long term captive is just as dangerous as releasing an alien species into the wild. It is one rat snake, if you want to get rid of this snake to make room for one ball python maybe you should not get a ball.

I have only had him for a few weeks, since Thanksgiving weekend. I also knew that this was going to be a short term captive, so I have not been doing anything to try and make it more tame or anything like that so it would still be as wild as possible when I released it. We already got the Ball, no problem, I can make space other ways. I would like to do what is most convenient and economical for me, but the welfare of the snake will come first. Thanks for your input.