Rat snakes tend to be more "opinionated" & less laid back, especially compared to BPs or rosy boas (with exceptions all around, of course). If they were vehicles, BPs &
rosies would be golf carts & most rat snakes, while not dragsters, would at least have "a lot more under the hood". Pet stores are scary places and rat snakes will let you
know they're willing to defend themselves, that's all.
The adult Florida rat snakes that I've had for years now will still act a little uppity when I first take them out, like for cage cleaning, but they calm right down & never bite.
When I've taken them to public meet & greets, they've always behaved with perfect docility...because once I've picked them up at home (even briefly to pack them for the drive) they reliably "change gears" (not defensive or looking for food). First impressions can be deceiving.![]()