Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone point me to a website that shows all the known morphs of Trans Pecos rat snakes? I have found a ton of photos, but nothing all encompassing. This is a group I want to explore before I decide to give them a try. Thanks, Alex

Ah, just found Dusty Rhoads' book.

There ya go! I only have one, a greenish blonde. It is one heck of a sweet snake. He really gives the impression of intelligence and is very gentle. I'd like to find one the the orange normals.
-----
See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

I am looking to get some TPRs, but I want to do as much research as possible before I jump in. I have kept and bred East coast colubrids, but spent most of my time with North American venomous. It appears that the Trans Pecos rats may not be as straight forward as some rats, so maybe some of the people, like yourself, can shed some light on the idiosyncracies of keeping these particular animals.

Hah, thanks for your confidence. I do believe Dusty's book should tell you all you need to know ...as I've said, I only have one but...

I got him as a young adult and he used to be a fickle feeder but in the last few months he's really turned on and has put on size and weight. What did the trick I don't know really. He loves to smash himself into the tightest of places as one might expect for a species from a land with little refuge sans limestone cracks and fissures.

I let him out sometimes in a secure room and once after looking "everywhere" finally discovered him under his Exoterra terrarium where the gap to enter under the base is no more than 3/8 inch!!! He was about 4 feet at the time, believe it or not. ...and he's done that since, so it was no accident!

I think he'll make a nice display animal if you give him mutlipe hide options and some branches to crawl on. Exoterra is an excellent option for that.

CAUTION for Exoterra keepers: the way the doors open on these terrariums creates a gap which may pinch a tail or worse on closure, or when fully opened. Always check carefully and move slowly. I almost clipped his tail once and just barely kinked it ...still shows the slightest little bend about a half inch from the tip, but is fine thankfully.

He is the sweetest of snakes and a true pleasure to have.
-----
See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

I cut a hole in the Exoterra faux rock backing and glued a hinged box behind it trying to simulate a more natural refuge. It works pretty good if you do it right, although my prototype was crude.

-----
See all my snakes at SerpenTrack.com

Subocs are pretty straightforward to keep. They were the first species I've kept and so far I haven't had any serious problems. I keep mine in a boaphile ball room rack and they do pretty well. Just be sure to drill plenty of holes for ventilation. Other than that, I keep them the same as Dusty recommends on his site.

http://suboc.com/captive_care.html

They're an awesome species to keep, that's for sure!

>>Ah, just found Dusty Rhoads' book.

Thanks, there’s going to be another book in the future with some updates. Also, my site will be going through a overhaul with a lot more information on subocs and should have something for lab biologists, field herpetologists, and keepers.