Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's my new Japanese Ratsnake. He's around 6 months old and weighs 23g. He's very shy right now, but that's normal and he should feel more secure as he gets older. It will be very interesting to see his ontogenetic changes.

That's one snake that I've always been interested in!Please keep us up to date with pics as he grows up!
Jeff

Don't you worry, you'll get to see plenty of updates lol.

Cool! I look forward to the pics!
Jeff

Very cool!!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -Serpentine Specialties

Nice looking japanese ratsnake. I have had mine for three years, now over four feet, but still fairly shy. They seem to eat very heavy in the spring but go off feed almost completely in spring in summer, at least the males. Got mine from a local hardware store. Good luck!

Japanese Ratsnakes from the Kunashiri island can go off feed for 6 months in their native habitat because the cold season is very long and the summer is short. However, i was told by the breeder that if they have heat, they will feed all year round. By contrast, Japanese Ratsnakes from the mainland will feed throughout most of the year and will brumate for 2 months. There is a color difference between the 2 locales, but supposedly there has been substantial cross breeding in the market. As a notable side effect, some specimens will exhibit an intermediate feeding schedule.

Based on your statement, I suspect that you have a pure Kunishiri snake like the one i have. However, I hope that mine will continue to feed all year round as the breeder indicated.

When your snake goes off feed, does it become more inactive than normal? Do you brumate it or do you provide normal heating conditions? It would be great if you could post a pic too! They have a wide variation in color. All of which are beautiful.

He ate 3 times in the 1 month that i've had him. He's in shed right now. He continues to be a very shy snake though. I've only seen him outside his hide once.

From what I have read, they do best with a brumation period. I only give him a semi brumation at about 65 degrees for about two months. He eats great in spring, then in early summer goes off feed, but stays active. Good luck with your feeding year around. In Japanese they are aodaisho - 青大将

One other note, I have never seen a snake of the same body diameter with such a wide mouth. He can put down lg mice in seconds that my biggest kings, several time his size in thickness, have trouble with. Amazing.

That's a good looking snake! Thanks for sharing your experience.