Cave dwelling rat snakes
 

Moved my pair of Orthriophis taeniurus ridleyi (cave dwelling rat snakes) into a new set-up and figured that's a good time to snap some quick pics. Lucy and Ricky.

One of these days I'll get some good photos.. one of these days.

what's that over there?
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...ucy4_2012b.jpg

Fresh water
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...ucy4_2012c.jpg

Close-up
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...cky4_2012a.jpg

Run, back into the cave
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...cky4_2012b.jpg

thanks for looking
-April

Those are very neat!

thank you! They were on my wish list for a very long time.

These snakes have the most intense feeding response I've ever seen, I'll try to get a video of it.

D'awww Lucy and Ricky, how cute! Cave dwelling rats are just the coolest thing, love those tails! <3 They're on my wishlist too, but I can't realistically see myself getting some for a few years. Someday though~ ;)

I hear a lot about their feeding response, so that sounds like fun! :D Feeding moments aside, how is their temperament? Also if I can ask - how large/old is your pair? *nosy*
I've actually never seen that species in person... never at a show or anything, and I don't even see too much of them online either. Bit of a bummer, I really wish there was more out there on them. :o So thank you so much for sharing since I can't get enough of those guys! :p
The new set ups look awesome too, so I'm sure they're happy! The rock walls are especially neat! :thumbsup:

thanks! I told myself Someday for a while too, they're worth the wait!
:D

They are '08s and unrelated CBB. I was lucky to buy them last year from
another hobbyist. So they were already adults and had been worked with a
lot. They can be huffy and strikey when in the cage but usually once out
I can handle them fine. They are pretty much constantly on the move, like
big giant corn snakes haha. The strike though is surprisingly strong! I mean,
they hit harder than my big boa constrictors do and it's over and over -
*wham*wham*wham* like a firecracker.

I haven't measured them but they are over 6' in length or close to it. I'll
make sure to get some vids up soon. I've only seen them at shows a couple
of times. They can be hard to find, it took me a while to find these two and I
pretty much just got lucky.
:yesnod:

Lucky you!!! They sound awesome! :D
"Big giant corn snake" LOL That's perfect, makes 'em fun to watch! They're so pretty, it'd be a right shame if they were shy~ :p
Their strikes sound like it'd be something to see too. :eek: Well never a boring moment right? I imagine it keeps you on your toes during feeding times. :rofl:

Thanks for the answers though, it's great learning more about these guys! :yesnod:

couple more pics, took these last night

fresh shed:
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...cy4_28_12a.jpg

closer:
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...cy4_28_12b.jpg

This shows how they love to trash their enclosure and make a big ol mess, and everytime I'm in the snake room, they always watch what is going on.
http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...ky4_28_12a.jpg

I'm SO jealous, April, I think these are the most elegant snakes ever. Please keep sharing photos.

One day, if I ever hit the Real World.............. :thumbsup:

Do you handle them much? How do they tolerate it?

I handle them every once in a while. My dad likes them and my BPs, so I usually take them out when he is over. The original owner handled them a lot when they were younger which is a huge part of how docile they are (imo). I'm curious to see the behavior of the babies.

:eek: Awesome!!!
Thanks so much for sharing, they look gorgeous! The shiny, new skin makes their colors even more vibrant! <3 I love that golden orange, it's actually nicer than a lot of others I've seen who are more olive in color, plus it really contrasts with the skunk tail. :thumbsup: I remember the first time I ever saw a picture of this species, my first thought was that it was two different snakes coiled up together. "Where's the stripey one's head?" :rofl:

How funny! I love a snake with personality! :p
Kinda reminds me of my gophers, I redid their enclosure last weekend which immediatly encouraged them to -trash it- do some radical redecorating of their own. lol This is why I can't have pretty things. :rolleyes_

Ones like that may be more of a handful, but they're just so entertaining~ :D
So I too am curious to see what the babies will be like in regards to personality! :yesnod: I apologize if you mentioned this earlier and I didn't catch it, but are you breeding Lucy and Ricky this year?