Jack the Russian Rat Snake/elaphe schrenckii (progression)

[zina10]

Every Species has their own special quirks and every single animal still has their own personality.

I can say without a doubt though, that Russian Ratsnakes USUALLY are very much inquisitive and fearless snakes. Very friendly and very personable. No projection on my part whatsoever.
I belonged to a reptile club back in Savannah and we would regularly get together and we would also have "shows". Not to sell animals, it was for education in conjunction with wildlife parks. While the only colubrids I had were the Russians, I've been around many others. While many were bold, outgoing and not shy, they didn't seem to interact as much. My Russians were usually a hit, esp. Scarlett.

They would watch everything going on. Literally watching it. Moving in the enclosure to get a better view. When I opened their enclosure, they would slither over and come out. Unless they were in shed. I could tell 100 more stories of their rather unusually social behavior but I don't want to start sounding like I'm making up stories. Scarlett DID go on walks with me, staying in the same position while peeking out over the zipper of my hoodie all the way until home. I could also walk around the house doing chores, washing dishes, dusting, and she would keep going around my waist, up my shoulders, around and back down and so on and on. Sometimes settling in the hood of a hoodie. Never seemed to feel the need to "get away". Absolutely fearless and not worried. Such fun and funny snakes.

They were more apprehensive when young, of course, like most snakes are. The older, the more confidence they had.

There are many owners throughout many years of reptile keeping that have noticed their extraordinary social and outgoing behaviors, to the point where that is indeed a trait for that species, but again, each individual is different.

Most BP's are very shy and stay shy. I had 2 back then that were the most chill snakes ever. They went with me to every representation at wildlife parks, schools, and everything. Never missed a meal, didn't hide much, one actually liked to drape on a branch like a GTP. That was funny, because he looked a little funny, being a rather rotund snake. Knowing BP's I know that these 2 were not the way they normally are.

I feel sorry that Jack was a shy one, it would have been nice if you could have experienced what some of the Russian owners are talking about. He will probably gain confidence in time, but it seems like he would have never been a typical Russian Ratsnake.

I still recommend them to people that want a fun and interactive snake. But of course there are other species out there that are as well.