Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just curious to see what everybodies opinions were on these. I am wanting to get into some of the old world rats and was curious about them. I see them in the classifieds for dirt cheap but most of the time they are in a defensive pose. So I am curious as to their disposition and ease of care. Also, curious to see what everyone recommends as a first old world rat. I like the look to the trinkets and the beauties but am not sure which direction to go. I am wanting something easy to care for and also corn snake tame. Any suggestions?
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

Coelognathus radiatus is not as easy as, say, a Cornsnake or a Ratsnake. These snakes can be very aggressive and certainly are not everyone's cup of tea. Most of all, Coelognathus spp. are racers, not ratsnakes at all, but closely related to Zaocys and Ptyas spp.

When you read herpetocultural literature you may get the impression that ratsnakes generally are an easy to keep group of colubrids. The problem is that what we call 'ratsnakes' does not exactly make a good group of closely related snakes (as in: monophyletic taxon). Consequently, while some ratsnake species may be very easy to keep, others can be very difficult.

Here's a list of recommendable asian species:

1. Elaphe dione
2. Elaphe schrencki
3. Elaphe anomala
4. Orthriophis taeniurus
5. Rhinechis scalaris

Not quite as easy, but still highly recommended:

6. Elaphe climacophora
7. Elaphe quatuorlineata
8. Elaphe sauromates
9. Zamenis persicus
10. Zamenis longissimus

Stay away from Oreophis spp., Euprepiophis spp., Gonyosoma spp. and Orthriophis moelendorfi.

Regards, Herman.

Thanks for the great advice.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

My personal favorite is elaphe climacophora--Japanese ratsnakes. They begin as brownish gray hatchlings, and become beautiful green and blue adults. They are a room temperature species kept pretty much like a corn, although mine love climbing branches as well.

Climacs tend to be more slender than corns, and reach 3.5-5'. Some people have found them to be quirky eaters, but mine rarely turn down a meal. Mine are also alert and personable.

I know I've posted this pic before, but it's one of my favorites. It's of my male as a hatchling. I'll try to post a pic of him as a two year-old in the near future.

rgds,
althea