what are rat snakes like to keep?

Just like corn snakes that get a little bit bigger,

I heard the new genus only applied to American rats? Maybe because the international group hasn't agreed/said anything on the matter... least that's the impression I've gotten. I could be wrong.

looks like i have some research to do.

There, that should settle that. :P I just sent an email to the ICZN (the internation committee on zoological nomenclature). They are the group that makes the offical rules about naming. They should be able to clear it up for us, provided they write back. I'll keep everyone updated.

a cornsnake is a ratsnake, but a ratsnake is not necessarily a cornsnake, from what I know.

elaphe guttata guttata = cornsnake
elaphe ________ = ratsnake (elaphe mandarina = mandarin ratsnake, elaphe obsoleta = black or other ratsnake)

ahhh..what do I know.

ps, elaphe gutatta emoryi = emory rat snake (not a corn) :)

actually when using that nomenclature emory's are a subspecies of corn snake, so yes, they are a corn snake. :cool: The divinding point there is that the mississippi and ohio rivers form a natural boundry between the home ranges of the two snakes. I have heard that there are cases of interbreeding in nature though.