My first snake! Not what I expected ...

Beautiful! I've always liked those little guys. Congrats!

Very nice snake :gj:

Very pretty snake (if it hasnt been said enough yet!), I cant wait to see that ball python! I just got my first one as well, and I cant help but get excited every time I see him. Congrats and welcome to the hobby!

Great pick up there,congratulations keep posting them great colourful pics


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Nice looking snake! No experience with them, but I would say to follow standard quarantine procedure. I'd not do any handling until he has had at least a couple weeks to settle in and has fed for you at least 2 times consecutively. With the glass exo terrarium, you will want to black out the back and 2 sides. I use black contact paper for this (on the outside) or construction paper.

As was already said, you will probably still need a hot spot, so if you are using a dome fixture for that with CHE, then be careful not to place it over glass (it will crack it).

I would also avoid direct contact with your new BP when he arrives...I'd quarantine him in a different room away from this one just in case.

Thank you al again for the kind words and compliments and sound advice. I was nervous about my purchase but you have all been a great help and very encouraging so thanks!!!

I plan to keep the ball in my bedroom with the rat snake in the dining / den area. I will do as you say and follow those procedures.

I’ve read a few places from current keepers that say a temp gradient is not needed for these mandarin rat snakes and is actually more of a problem than a help. Just a humidity filled hide and a steady temp room with a slight night temp drop. Apparently these snakes overheat with ease and can be harmed more than helped by a UTH or high heat source. Apparently this has been an issue with their husbandry for many years and was one of the reasons they have been deemed a hard to keep snake because people try to hard to keep them like corn snakes or milk snakes or even other types of rat snakes. Apparently the mandarin is in a league all it’s own. I’m going to keep digging and researching as I want to do what’s best for the snake. The guy I got him from actually kept him in a back area of his place near the doors because they were always opening and closing causing a cooler temp.

One online source I found said for 3-4 months a year he drops their temp slowly to almost 55 -60 degrees then slowly brings them back to the 70 range.

Like I said the guy who had them had him eating and having great sheds in a tub w gold humidity and a steady room temp nothing else. Sooo I need to maybe try and see what the deal is and how it works out.


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Your best bet is to look up the climate of where they are native. While also keeping in mind their natural behaviors too if you want some of your own research. Everything I remember reading from other keepers is high humidty, low-mid 70s for temps, and substrate that isn’t extremely damp or dusty.

And a temp drop in winter is common for the old worlds especially for breeding. Right now my adult Chinese beauty’s are hanging out in the garage in temps ranging from 50-60. I plan on warming mine back up in the next few weeks.

I had to do all my own research for my wolf snake since no one keeps them or shares info on the species I bought. It was actually kind of fun to figure out.

Thanks chip! You sound spot on to what I have been reading and researching that’s very reassuring. I did just that looked up
Where they are from
And found and their seasonal weather and what not. Like you said part of the fun is learning and figuring it out.

I think I’m going to deepen the bed though. I went with a latte
Over an inch and he’s a little
Guy but seems they really like to burrow so I may add more tonight when I get home. Apparently there is a strategy to feeding them and hiding the food to mimic their natural hunting ways


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Quick Bumble Update - HE ATE!

first feeding attempt last night and first successful feed!

im somewhat surprised but very happy to say the least!

hes been doing well and in his hide a lot. In the am he likes to come about 1/3 out and look at me through the front as I have my morning coffee.

Ive been playing with the humidity a bit to get it just right and it seems to be working and he is happy. He was due for a meal so I was hoping he ate but given the stress of a move and new environment I wasn’t sure but I’m very happy he did.

Feed #2 was again successful and he seems to be settling in super nice.

Im excited to start handling him very soon if he keeps up this progress!!

hes starting to come out a bit more. I call him the old man cause he hangs out on the “stoop” of the rock hide he loves. Lol