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Cave dwelling rat snakes!!!

X

xXBlueLipsXx

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I've been trying to find information for these guys for months!! does anyone own a couple or at least one, that they can give me tips for caring for them? There certainly beautiful and amazing creatures, I have a few questions about them though.:
what type of habitat or set up would they need?
Anything special i need to do for this species?
How should i care for them? (for example: everything they need to survive) i'm a first time snake owner so i would like to know as much as i can (its hard finding information about this species) before making the purchase for my snake.

thanks in advance for reading and answering my questions
 
They are not easy to find thats for sure, whatever you do find will most likely be LTC adults or CBB. That being said im surprised there are not that many to find, they are truly beautiful snakes. One thing for sure is that you want to give them plenty of space, the bigger the better, as they will utilize all space given to them. Give them multiple hiding places and things to climb on and perch. They get pretty large anywhere from 6-9 ft on average in length. Give them a basking spot of approx 85 degrees with a low cool ambient temp around the mid to upper 70's. They grow very fast if fed properly growing in length of up to 5 feet in one year, i typically feed 2x a week for these types of rat snakes when they are growing, then i do once a week for mature adults. they seem to prefer numerous smaller prey items compared to one large meal, though ive seen them take down some large meals before with no problems. Their metabolism is fast, so they defecate frequently! Handling varies from docile to down right aggressive from animal to animal.
 
yes they are, im thinking about breeding these guys eventually in time, also can 2 cave dwellers be kept in the same cage without eating each other? also thanks its VERY helpful im surprised there not the most wanted breed next to pythons and what not, also what size of cage do you think i should get? (i'm going to an expo on the 22nd so i would like know what would be best, i'm going to attempt to find a baby there or a young one at least) in my room the length, that the stand and cage i could go or any possible size, is 42F in length(used a tap measure) ,the with doesnt matter really it can be any type)
 
It is best to keep them separated, especially if you plan to breed, absence of the opposite sex can help induce a more successful courtship, also its just easier to monitor the health of each animal if they are kept to their own space. i would recommend bare minimum a 75 gal per animal, even better would be a more height oriented cage as well.
 
ah ok, thanks :) i'm getting a cage thats more tall, due to them living in caves and climbing things. more of an arboreal cage for the thing, so its happy and healthy, do you think an arboreal cage is better then length wise really?
 
xXBlueLipsXx said:
ah ok, thanks :) i'm getting a cage thats more tall, due to them living in caves and climbing things. more of an arboreal cage for the thing, so its happy and healthy, do you think an arboreal cage is better then length wise really?
Click to expand...

length, I have mine (Well only one now, the other recently passed) in 4x2X2 with a rock ledge background insert, they checked out the insert every once in a while but spend most of the time on the ground or in the hide. They are really fun to keep, very active and outgoing (aka bitey lol).
 
haha ok thanks :), well i read somewhere else besides here they like the climb or have a rocky surface, and several other info other then here say there temperment vearys from nice to pure evil, just depends on how lucky you get i guess and how often there handled. Temperment wise just vearys as with all snakes, I just hope mines not very bitey still when its an adult (considering a baby maybe)
 
xXBlueLipsXx said:
haha ok thanks :), well i read somewhere else besides here they like the climb or have a rocky surface, and several other info other then here say there temperment vearys from nice to pure evil, just depends on how lucky you get i guess and how often there handled. Temperment wise just vearys as with all snakes, I just hope mines not very bitey still when its an adult (considering a baby maybe)
Click to expand...

Worst case scenario you have a snake that will teach you how to hook train properly
 
ok, but i would think cave dwelling rat snakes are more arboreal then anything else due to them eating and catching bats out of the air.
 
xXBlueLipsXx said:
ok, but i would think cave dwelling rat snakes are more arboreal then anything else due to them eating and catching bats out of the air.
Click to expand...

they will definitely utilize the space if given, but the more important thing to utilize even with aboreal snakes is still floor space, having some height added to the floor space is even better if you can do it. I learned this from GTP and amazon owners and find it works for virtually any other captive aboreal snake.
 
They do like humidity, so with them ill spray the cage down once in the morning, live plants are also nice if the cage design allows it. If there isnt condensation on the front the cage doors thats when i mist them down, otherwise i leave them be.
 
xXBlueLipsXx said:
I've been trying to find information for these guys for months!! does anyone own a couple or at least one, that they can give me tips for caring for them? There certainly beautiful and amazing creatures, I have a few questions about them though.:
what type of habitat or set up would they need?
Anything special i need to do for this species?
How should i care for them? (for example: everything they need to survive) i'm a first time snake owner so i would like to know as much as i can (its hard finding information about this species) before making the purchase for my snake.

thanks in advance for reading and answering my questions
Click to expand...

Hi,

I've kept them at the Bronx & Staten Is Zoos, one of my favorites. Following is an article on their care/nat history; also another on Moellendorff's Ratsnake, which is often found in/near caves, best Frank

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatr...erly-“elaphe”-taeniurus-friesei/#.U1mlRld8qpE

http://bit.ly/1gVra0W
 
xXBlueLipsXx said:
I've been trying to find information for these guys for months!! does anyone own a couple or at least one, that they can give me tips for caring for them? There certainly beautiful and amazing creatures, I have a few questions about them though.:
what type of habitat or set up would they need?
Anything special i need to do for this species?
How should i care for them? (for example: everything they need to survive) i'm a first time snake owner so i would like to know as much as i can (its hard finding information about this species) before making the purchase for my snake.

thanks in advance for reading and answering my questions
Click to expand...

Sorry, omitted link to part II, best , Frank
 
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