They do indeed sometimes go by the common name of "Red Mountain Racer", but they are indeed from tropical Asia, and not North America. I would do some google image searches to make SURE the store is talking about the same type of snake here too. One thing I would be EXTREMELY sceptical about, is if it IS truly a Thai Bamboo Ratsnake(formerly Elaphe porphyracea), for $159.00 it is very likely a W/C import specimen. Either that, or whoever had it before didn't have a clue as to what it really was either. Getting a W/C specimen is really taking a huge chance, as they can harbor many parasites, and be stressed beyond belief from the crappy conditions they were kept in prior to their arrival in the states.

These snakes need certain basic conditions met, or they will not thrive and do well at ALL. They need far more humidity and need cooler conditions to replicate their natural environment up in the high altitude of their natural jungle habitat environment than most other colubrids do.

Anyway, do some reaserch on these first. There is PLENTY of info available on these all over the net if you just type in a few simple key-words. I would want to see it eat a meal right off the bat before I even thought about bying it from a pet store. At least that would be one major hurdle overcome. Then some Flagyl(Metronidazole) and Panacur(Fenbendazole) would probably soon follow.

Bottom line here, is to understand their basic husbandry needs FIRST!. Then this thing would have to look very outwardly healthy to entertain the idea og getting it at all. If it is thin-looking,........FORGET ABOUT IT!! would be my advice.



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

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