Russian rat snake breeders?

Anyone know anyone who currently has russian rat snakes available?

I messaged Ken Foose and he won't have some to sell until mid to late July. But I actually have my set up ready for a young one right now.

Over the course of a year, ken seems to have at least one of everything...just not all at once.
I am always tempted by his odd ball listings.
Those Russian rats are very pretty.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Over the course of a year, ken seems to have at least one of everything...just not all at once.
I am always tempted by his odd ball listings.
Those Russian rats are very pretty.

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Yeah, it seems! I wish more people bred them. I also messaged Zerkle, and they also won't have any available until July or so.

Just have to keep you're eye out. Unfortunately the hobby isn't as varied as it used to be. (IE everything is ball pythons now) So people actually producing the "miscellaneous" snakes are a lot more rare. Keep some money to the side and be ready to pounce when the babies start hitting faunaclassifieds and kingsnake.

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Originally Posted by Jhill001

Just have to keep you're eye out. Unfortunately the hobby isn't as varied as it used to be. (IE everything is ball pythons now) So people actually producing the "miscellaneous" snakes are a lot more rare. Keep some money to the side and be ready to pounce when the babies start hitting faunaclassifieds and kingsnake.

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Yeah! I don't know if it has to do with specific russian rat snake breeding periods, but it seems like everyone's having young snakes available mid-summer for some reason. I've got my money right here! They seem like they're bought so fast.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Yeah! I don't know if it has to do with specific russian rat snake breeding periods, but it seems like everyone's having young snakes available mid-summer for some reason. I've got my money right here! They seem like they're bought so fast.

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Thats just the breeding rotation for most colubrids bud. It'll be like that till people get tired of Ball Pythons.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Yeah! I don't know if it has to do with specific russian rat snake breeding periods, but it seems like everyone's having young snakes available mid-summer for some reason. I've got my money right here! They seem like they're bought so fast.

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I can't understand why there aren't more people breeding them !!! They are so hard to find and like you said, once available, they sell out FAST.
They are such fun and lovely snakes, too, so easy to keep. Unless the house is real cold, you don't even need to worry about heating or a thermostat. A bit of light to light up the cage is all that is needed, they will go bask under it if they want it warmer. If anything, they shouldn't be kept to warm.

They are usually hanging out, watching what is going on. Not hard on the eyes once they grow up, either. I believe I have heard of albinos, too.

You should try to get a pair and breed them eventually so more of us can get them ;)

Have you asked whether he can hold one for you ?

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Originally Posted by Jhill001

Just have to keep you're eye out. Unfortunately the hobby isn't as varied as it used to be. (IE everything is ball pythons now) So people actually producing the "miscellaneous" snakes are a lot more rare. Keep some money to the side and be ready to pounce when the babies start hitting faunaclassifieds and kingsnake.

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There's always going to be a "popular" species that takes the lion's share of space at reptile expos. That's what these events are for after all, selling animals and supplies to other folks. If you are producing colubrids and everyone at the show seems to be looking for royals, you're going to find other venues or maybe trade a portion of your stock for what's in demand. Before royals it was corn snakes, now hognose snakes are gaining in popularity. Sure, there are more people producing ball pythons than probably all other species combined but that certainly doesn't mean there are any less people producing the other stuff. I'm not sure how having more people interested in reptiles, whatever species draws them in, can be construed as a negative anyway. The more people with a vested interest in reptiles, the easier it is for us to fight nonsense legislation. Consider where the hobby might be today, what you could legally keep even, if it weren't for this one species with such a massive following. As for finding those "miscellaneous" snakes, if you're looking for pigeons, you ain't gonna find them staring down rabbit holes.

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Originally Posted by Jhill001

Thats just the breeding rotation for most colubrids bud. It'll be like that till people get tired of Ball Pythons.

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You seem to be harboring a bit of resentment, friend. How does ball python popularity affect colubrid breeding cycles exactly?

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Anyone know anyone who currently has russian rat snakes available?

I messaged Ken Foose and he won't have some to sell until mid to late July. But I actually have my set up ready for a young one right now.

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. Send Sylphie a private message. She is a member here but doesn't come on very much. I am pretty sure she breeds them. She may be out of the country though as in exporting and such. Maybe she can steer you in the right direction here in the U.S.

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Originally Posted by zina10

I can't understand why there aren't more people breeding them !!! They are so hard to find and like you said, once available, they sell out FAST.
They are such fun and lovely snakes, too, so easy to keep. Unless the house is real cold, you don't even need to worry about heating or a thermostat. A bit of light to light up the cage is all that is needed, they will go bask under it if they want it warmer. If anything, they shouldn't be kept to warm.

They are usually hanging out, watching what is going on. Not hard on the eyes once they grow up, either. I believe I have heard of albinos, too.

You should try to get a pair and breed them eventually so more of us can get them ;)

Have you asked whether he can hold one for you ?

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It's funny, I wonder why more people don't breed them if there seems to be a higher demand for them than the supply?? Weird!

and yes, I heard! They seem so easy but very rewarding and one of the only snakes I consistently see keepers describe as inquisitive and "likes" handling. So interesting!

I just saw someone selling a clutch of albinos on facebook, and messaged him, but didn't get a reply. So I'm assuming he already sold out LOL.

Haha I'll see about breeding them tbh! :D I haven't asked yet, since that would mean I need to put down a deposit... But if I can find another available right now, then that would be better.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

. Send Sylphie a private message. She is a member here but doesn't come on very much. I am pretty sure she breeds them. She may be out of the country though as in exporting and such. Maybe she can steer you in the right direction here in the U.S.

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Thanks, I'll send her a message and hope she comes on lol!

I wouldn't mind having one of these but the lower temps would be problematic for me. If a hurricane hit and I loose power for two weeks again keeping them cool would become problematic.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

I wouldn't mind having one of these but the lower temps would be problematic for me. If a hurricane hit and I loose power for two weeks again keeping them cool would become problematic.

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That is quite true. Hot temps would certainly present more of a problem.

When I had mine I lived in Savannah, GA. Summers there are HOT HOT HOT.

I lost AC on a 4th of July weekend. It was HELL. I had fans running everywhere and purchased one of those stand alone AC units. Before it even got real hot inside I noticed the Russians "cruising fast". I ended up moving everyone into the room that I kept the stand alone unit in.

Of course without power that may be difficult to do ;)

We have a generator, so we could run power to the most essential things.

Of course you could always douse yourself and your Russian with cool water and fan yourself :) They are happy to hang with you...lol. Or put them into a tub in a cooler with a bit of ice nearby. Honestly, loosing power in such a hot climate would probably cause issues with most snakes.

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Originally Posted by zina10

Of course you could always douse yourself and your Russian with cool water and fan yourself :) They are happy to hang with you...lol.

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Honestly, reading this part made me so happy haha

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Originally Posted by zina10

Of course you could always douse yourself and your Russian with cool water and fan yourself :) They are happy to hang with you...lol.

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Honestly a move to something like one of those cheap screen reptariums with a light fan breeze might be just enough to hold them over for a week or so if it was some extended issue or a move to a basement. Luckily when it comes to snakes a few days at less than optimal temperatures isn't going to do too much harm as long as they have plenty of water. I really feel bad for the amphibian keepers who's animals can die in hours rather than weeks.

Sigh, I wonder how long I can resist having another one :) It sure is tempting to be able to have a large, cool "display" cage with a inquisitive and nosy snake inside. No thermostat or heat to worry about...

They are SO like these 2 videos :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr36BLlfz60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC5PuCEKZNE

and get quite a bit bigger then that. They are like little "supervisors" , always have to check what'cha doing ;)

I remember taking mine on walks and her head and upper neck stuck out of my hoodie in the front (rest of her under the shirt) and her little head bopped with each step. Looking at everything.

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Originally Posted by zina10

Sigh, I wonder how long I can resist having another one :) It sure is tempting to be able to have a large, cool "display" cage with a inquisitive and nosy snake inside. No thermostat or heat to worry about...

They are SO like these 2 videos :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr36BLlfz60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC5PuCEKZNE

and get quite a bit bigger then that. They are like little "supervisors" , always have to check what'cha doing ;)

I remember taking mine on walks and her head and upper neck stuck out of my hoodie in the front (rest of her under the shirt) and her little head bopped with each step. Looking at everything.

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Yes, that's exactly what I plan on doing with mine! I'm planning on getting a 48x24x24 AP cage and buying a huge standing grapewood branch (because I have no idea how to set up branches lol).

Aren't those videos adorable?? I follow the owner of this snake on tumblr, and that snake is actually what got me interested. They just seem SO different from other snakes, and so genuinely inquisitive. They remind me of little birds.

That's so cute! I can imagine the head bobbing.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Yes, that's exactly what I plan on doing with mine! I'm planning on getting a 48x24x24 AP cage and buying a huge standing grapewood branch (because I have no idea how to set up branches lol). Aren't those videos adorable?? I follow the owner of this snake on tumblr, and that snake is actually what got me interested. They just seem SO different from other snakes, and so genuinely inquisitive. They remind me of little birds.That's so cute! I can imagine the head bobbing.

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I'm still pretty dead set on getting a ball python but shoot, this is making me REALLY consider getting Russian rat snake hahaalso im planning on getting the same model from AP! Please tell me how you like it whenever you get it!

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

I'm still pretty dead set on getting a ball python but shoot, this is making me REALLY consider getting Russian rat snake hahaalso im planning on getting the same model from AP! Please tell me how you like it whenever you get it!

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Right? From all accounts I've heard, they seem like such a special kind of snake. Everyone talks about how you just have to open the cage and they'll come running out and love crawling all over you and checking things out, not shy or loopy/skittish/trying to run away like corns and kings, while having super easy husbandry. (There's no problem with getting both! LOL) And yeah, I'll let you know when I get the cage! AP has great reviews all around.

Redshepherd, did you get your Russian Rat Snake?