Wild caught

[Bogertophis]

...All of the red rat snakes I've caught that were wild have been very calm. Never had one strike at me defensively.
Yellow rat snakes though.... ....

I have native black rat snakes in my area (just a different color variation of the yellows) & I know what you mean...I can just imagine my 2.2 Florida rat snakes
if they were wild...as you said> -LOL. Mine are c/b blend of yellow/gulf hammock & probably some Everglades (one has a fair amount of orange). I've kept
most of their c/b "cousins" (grey, Everglades, amel. blacks etc.)- they make good pets if c/b but nowhere near as docile as corn snakes are. Formidable snakes!

[SquirmyPug]

I have native black rat snakes in my area (just a different color variation of the yellows) & I know what you mean...I can just imagine my 2.2 Florida rat snakes
if they were wild...as you said> -LOL. Mine are c/b blend of yellow/gulf hammock & probably some Everglades (one has a fair amount of orange). I've kept
most of their c/b "cousins" (grey, Everglades, amel. blacks etc.)- they make good pets if c/b but nowhere near as docile as corn snakes are. Formidable snakes!

I have no idea what it is about wild yellow rat snakes... but every one of them wants to kill anyone near it tail rattling, hissing, striking... I would rather handle a water moccasin haha

[Bogertophis]

I have no idea what it is about wild yellow rat snakes... but every one of them wants to kill anyone near it tail rattling, hissing, striking... I would rather handle a water moccasin haha

You'd be surprised at how well-behaved my adults are...the 7' males even have multiple public 'meet & greets' under their so-called "belts"- even being held by
total strangers! The wild ones know how to repel threats, that's all. Great "actors"! (not saying they wouldn't bite, just not as lethal as they pretend)

[SquirmyPug]

That's awesome and I'm glad they aren't as lethal as they pretend! I wouldn't want to reach into a hole with a wild one that's 7' like yours! even if it's just a few bites lol I've seen some that were big but never 7 feet long, how old are yours?

[Bogertophis]

That's awesome and I'm glad they aren't as lethal as they pretend! I wouldn't want to reach into a hole with a wild one that's 7' like yours! even if it's just a few bites lol I've seen some that were big but never 7 feet long, how old are yours?

They're pushing 11 years now. I love rat snakes...they're fun.

[Bogertophis]

But I'm also sure that the behavior of wild rat snakes is part of what keeps people from wanting them as pets...their "reputation" precedes them.
Same for bull/gopher/pine snakes...plenty of bluff to go around, lol.