Best First Colubrid - Suggestions Please!

What about an Old World rat snake ?

I don´t know if these are easy to find in the US, but if you want a "different" colubrid as regards the behavior, go for the Russian (or Amur) Ratsnake - Elaphe schrencki schrencki. (please note that it´s not a Korean ratsnake; sometimes they get mixed up)

This is the one I´m talking about
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4...chrenckwk4.jpg

The only known morphs are "high yellow" (instead of the cream) and melanistic

The are totally diurnal - that´s good for a change ! - very inquisite - no fear - and very docile

This all combined prvides you with a snake that crawls out of the enclosure by herself to your arm when you open it.

Diurnal, semi-arboreal, up to 6` (record of 8`) and quite different.

I found this caresheet: http://www.reptilecareforum.co.uk/in...p?showtopic=87

That Russian rat snake looks interesting!

It sort of reminds me of the tiger rat snake, spilotes pullatus (I think), from South America.

Cali King all the way! They can be mean little guys when they are young, but with frequent handling, they are great little snakes.

Heres my little guy - I was thinking of naming him weiner but I don't know yet:)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...2/DSCF0579.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kc261

It sort of reminds me of the tiger rat snake, spilotes pullatus (I think), from South America.

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Casey

The Spilotes pullatus is also a fantastic snake, but I don´t think it´s a goos first colubrid.
It´s very agressive and very quick, also. Not "handable" - at leats, not easy to handle - and with 10´+..

But it looks a bit like the Russian rat, I agree

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JoMo

The Spilotes pullatus is also a fantastic snake, but I don´t think it´s a goos first colubrid.
It´s very agressive and very quick, also. Not "handable" - at leats, not easy to handle - and with 10´+..

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Thanks for pointing this out! I know very little about the tiger rat snake, other than that they are pretty! which is why I didn't mention them in my first post in this thread.

Also, as a caution to anyone truly new to snakes who may read this thread: Melissa (the OP) hasn't owned a colubrid other than the black rat she is rehabbing, but she has owned several snakes for a while now. So some of the recommendations made to her for a "first colubrid", may not be as appropriate for a "first snake". As always, do your research!

Black milk....My guy is great, ALWAYS eats, always sheds in one piece, I've had him about 6 months now and hes been so easy...i've never gotten musked or anything and they're from high altitudes so a lot of additional heating isn't necessary (if my guy's hot end gets over 80 he'll usually go to the cold side)...All around great snake.

JoMo is right on with the Russian rat, described them perfectly. If you like the black rat Melissa, I think a Russian would be the way to go. If you happen to decide on a Russian I may be able to help you find one.

John

I asked for advice and boy did I get it! I love it! So much to think about.

The russian rat does look intriguing. And what's this about a 10' colubrid. Boy, got my interest on that one, too! We have a jungle carpet python, so juvenile aggression isn't a biggie as long as it can be a sweetheart adult.

Thanks, guys! You always come through for me!

Yeah there are a few colubrids that get over 10 ft. I have two babies that will get over 10 ft, a tiger rat and a blue beauty. I wouldn't count on them being sweetheart adults though. Both of these were born in summer 07.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC03868.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/DSC04036.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/DSC04167.jpg
Other colubrids that get over 10 ft are Ptyas carinatus (keeled rat snake), Drymarchon corais (yellowtail cribo), Pseustes sulphureus (giant bird snake), etc.

John

Wow! Thanks for the pics, John.

The Taiwan Beauties tend to be very docile, though right? The Russian rat looks interesting, but not sure I'm ready for a snake needing brumation. These others don't if I am not breeding, do they?

More research! Thanks, everyone!