This is a good thread as I've been considering taking on these beautiful snakes.
I've been keeping mandarins for a few years now and these seem very similar in care and needs.

My mandys are kept in the mid seventies and thrive at that temp.
I use vision cages and switch to tubs in the winter sitting them on the floor to brumate them while the room temp goes to about 72.
Keep in mind snakes that like lower temps eat smaller meals. Keep whats offered smaller than you'd give the same sized black rat or corn snake.
You can't power feed these guys.
I've also found them to prefer deep bedding (aspen) and while I've used a variety of hides a folded sheet of news paper laying flat on the aspen is what they prefer to coil under. I also provide a container with damp moss for them to use.
They tolerate some handling but do best if left undisturbed and to thier reclusive nature.
Now this is how I've kept mandarins but (correct me if I'm wrong)I believe Red Mountain Racers are the same.

On the price, $159 for a CB 14" RMR is very good. I'd be all over that. The cheapest I've seen are babies for $200.
My first reaction to a price that low is that it would have to be WC. WC asian snakes are very fragile. The lower price fro a WC compared to double that for CB is tempting but is a bad risk for your wallet and a snake that probably won't survive being taken from the wild.

I would also assume that if it is indeed CB, the snake is probably a male as females tend to cost more.
Great find though, don't let the pet store know they are letting it go so cheap. Good luck with it.
Mike.

[ Show Entire Thread ]