Trans Pecos - tell me more

[MelissaFlipski]

Hey all, got my usual kind of query - tell me all you know about trans pecos rat snakes.

There's an 8 yr old female needing to be adopted out at Petco - surrendered b/c the previous keeper was moving. She is labeled "Thaispecos," but I think they mean Trans pecos; correct me if she could be something else. She looks about right, but I only looked at her briefly. She strikes and bites - supposedly b/c she was fed live in her tank. I said that it's usually more than that causing a snake to be aggressive. I took her out, w/out getting bitten. But when I put her back in, I put the back of my hand too close to her and she bit. Not too bad. She kept her mouth open threateningly so I could get a nice look at what a pretty yellow it is. Her tongue was black, but seemed to have a touch of red or pink on the very back of it. She's free with 20 L tank - just a donation to their adoption foundation.

Thoughts? How well do these guys tame down with handling and proper husbandry? Does this possibly fit my bill for colubrid opening in my collection? Interesting or not worth it?

Thanks!

[mike m]

I keep and breed trans pecos.
One in a hundred might be a biter.They are usually very calm though there are exceptions to the rule.
From my colony of 6 T.P.R.'s not one is a biter.
All my animals feed readily on frozen thawed rodents of appropriate size.I don't keep a light or heat on any of mine.They are kept at 72 degree room temps with no problams at all.
A well ventilated enclosure is a MUST and hold a very diligent cleaning schedule.They are more prone to pathogenic bacteria than other snakes I have kept so a clean well ventilated cage and clean fresh water is a must.A hide of moist sphagnum moss in a shoe box with a hole cut in the lid aids in shedding and gives the animal a place to retreat.Once settled in you will find they are a very curious snake and will actually come out of thier hides and watch your movements.They almost seem to have a level of intelligents about them.I have been hooked on them since the mid 80's and have always had a few in my collection before they where as popular as they are now.
Here's a few pics for ya.

[MelissaFlipski]

Thanks, Mike! Sounds like a keeper then. What is the phase/morph in the top two pictures? A blonde? That is exactly how this girl looks.

How often do they musk? I thought snakes musked through their anal vents. But she had grayish liquid come out of her pores on the side of her body, not even close to her anal vent. Is that where they musk from, like a gland? Or is that b/c she tried to bite someone else and bit herself? I saw this same sort of liquid come out of the black rat I rehabbed - he musked but also had bitten himself when he went for my husband.

I wonder if her previous keeper abused/neglected her...? She bit me when I was moving her hide back into place I had already put her back in the enclosure - my hand moved toward her as I lifted the log and she bit me.

[Kathleen]

*sneaks in* I don't usually post (I'm a lurker) but I just had to say that that snake in the second picture has absolutely gorgeous eyes (well... eye). So they don't don't require heating or lighting at all? Is there a good website out there with more information about 'em, do you know?

[mike m]

*sneaks in* I don't usually post (I'm a lurker) but I just had to say that that snake in the second picture has absolutely gorgeous eyes (well... eye). So they don't don't require heating or lighting at all? Is there a good website out there with more information about 'em, do you know?

I say mine do well without heat and lights.I'm probably on the low side of optimum temps.It just seems to work for me that way.My snakes eat well,digest,and breed,so I don't "fix" what's not broken.
As far as a good website go to Subocs.com Dustin Rhoades is quite the fancier of T.P.R.'s
Also check out the link to his blog,simply subocs.
He also has written the first book of it's kind that's almost exclusively about T.P.R.'s
I recieved my signed copy last week.

[Kathleen]

I say mine do well without heat and lights.I'm probably on the low side of optimum temps.It just seems to work for me that way.My snakes eat well,digest,and breed,so I don't "fix" what's not broken.
As far as a good website go to Subocs.com Dustin Rhoades is quite the fancier of T.P.R.'s
Also check out the link to his blog,simply subocs.
He also has written the first book of it's kind that's almost exclusively about T.P.R.'s
I recieved my signed copy last week.

Awesome. Thanks.

[BMorrison]

Mike you have some gorgeous snakes!

[Kathleen]

I looked at the "paint jobs (morphs)" section on http://www.suboc.com and found this.

[mike m]

Mike you have some gorgeous snakes!

Thank you very much.I appreciate that compliment.