Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the first season since I got the russian rat pr. from you,they didn't slow down feeding as the weather cooled.They continue to feed like it's still summer!!Lol! It's not a problem but was wondering if yours have ever done this.Thanks!
Jeff

That snake looks really good, Jeff!

My breeders stop eating in August or September. Their first year as hatchlings they ate throughout winter, but after that they quit in late sumer/early fall.

I also have a pair that I'm raising up that went through the same cycle - they ate through their first winter, but then stopped the following fall.

Tim

My Cal Kings also go off feed in late Autumn, no surprise. As Temperate snakes, I expect this behavior.

However, both the male & female have been quite active during winter. Many days they are out exploring, or respond to persons moving in the room.

My female often goes to her water dish around 9:00 - 10:00 at night. She has also fed twice this winter during the time she normally shuns food.

Most temperate zone snake go off feed and become less active in winter, but every now & then an *Individual* will defy categorical behavior.

Thanks Tim! I'm taking advantage of the situation and feeding them as usual!
Jeff

After years of Trial & Error to find a snake with the traits I love most:

*active, alert, curious, calm when handling*

I finally found a Russian available! (Sorry Tim, likely no need to contact you next May now. I found a dealer near Jacksonville with a single male.) He was ordered yesterday and should be arriving in next few days.

I have already set up his 60-gallon biome with Naturalistic setup. Later, if needed, I can move him to a 100-gallon tank that I have.

I'm so excited that I'm slightly giddy...

0.1 Lampropeltis getula california (Los Angeles County morph)
1.0 Pantherophis obsoletus rossalleni
1.0 Elaphe schrencki

Be sure to post pics!!
Jeff

I'm also expecting my first Russians-should have an adult pair arriving later this week. I was bummed that I missed out on Tim's this past year (those kids sell fast!), but it'll be nice to have some not directly related to his stock so I can get more in the future without inbreeding. Well, I guess they're not related anyway-one of mine is from Jim Sargent's stock and the other turned up in a pet store years ago. Tim, did any of yours come from Jim as well?

Apparently the male has been off food this winter as expected, but the female is still feeding. I'll be cooling her slightly once they arrive in the hopes that she'll cycle and breed. It may be a little late in the game for that though, so cross your fingers for me. There's always next year if it doesn't work out.

Jeff, that dark one (the female?) is looking awesome. I remember her standing out as a hatchling, but she's looking even nicer now.

Kevin,

I bought a pair from Troy Hibbits about 5 years ago. I don't know if he still is working with them. I also purchased a pair from Python in a Pear Tree a couple of years back.

15-20 years ago Russians could usually be found at reptile swaps, but they've faded from the picture for the last ten years or so.

Tim

>>15-20 years ago Russians could usually be found at reptile swaps, but they've faded from the picture for the last ten years or so.
>>
>>Tim

Thanks for the info. I can remember a breeder or two working with them many years ago, but never saw any at shows or knew much about them until you started posting yours on the forum. It seems like there's been a lot of interest in this species lately though, so I'm glad they weren't lost to the hobby, especially if they're not being imported anymore.

Thanks for sharing the enthusiasm. In my area, I rarely find Reptile enthusiasts. I often feel like the lone Pioneer on the Frontier in that regard.

My digital camera is very basic, however, so my photo quality won't be nearly as nice as those of some of you regular Forum posters. I will check in from time to time to share.

I also realize that a 55-gallon biome (not 60-gallone as reported earlier) is large for a hatchling initially, but he will grow into it.

>>After years of Trial & Error to find a snake with the traits I love most:
>>
>>*active, alert, curious, calm when handling*
.....

You may want to consider subocs as well (if you haven't already). I'd never kept any before, but I got a young pair a few months ago. The female is a little on the shy side and doesn't explore as much during the day. The little male is like no snake I've ever kept before though. He came to me as a hatchling and has been bolder and more curious than any young snake I've ever encountered.

He comes out to investigate whenever I'm around and always wants to climb on me whenever the lid is open. I've seen no quick movements or signs of nervousness out of him at all. It's like he came out of the egg perfectly at ease with humans. I can definitely see why this species is so popular with their keepers now.

Most interesting. Sounds like what Monklet describes with his Bairdi. I've never had one, never known anyone who had, but know that they are very popular.

With people, dogs, cats, horses or snakes - the individual ALWAYS makes the difference.