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== Taxomony == '''Order:''' Squamata <br /> '''Family:''' Colubridae <br /> '''Genus:''' Elaphe <br /> '''Species:''' obsoleta obsoleta '''Common Names:''' Black Rat Snake, Mountain Black Snake, Pilot Snake == Introduction == [[[[Image:Black_coils_of_fast.jpg|thumb|left|Photo by Author]]The BRS is a large snake from North America. == Difficulty == Please contribute to this section. == Basic Info == === Size === 5 to 6 feet on a rare occasion they may reach up to 8 feet === Lifespan === 15 to 20 years === Handling === When you handle any snake make sure you always support the whole body. let them wrap around your arm, so that their back halves are not hanging loose in the air. Black rats are a medium sized snake, most are pretty calm. == Housing == Babies can be kept in 10 gallon tanks. Adult black rats need to be housed in at least a 30 gallon tank or Rubbermaid container of similar size. Bigger is always better though. Make sure to have a secure tight fitting lid because BRs are notorious escape artists. === Substrate === For substrates you can use aspen shavings, newspaper or care fresh. NEVER use pine or cedar shavings because the oils in them are toxic to reptiles. === Temperature === You need to set up a temperature gradient for the snake to thermoregulate. Place a UTH, heat tape or heat cable under one side of the container to create a warm side. This area should be between 80 to 85 degrees. The cool side should be around 75 degrees. === Humidity === Please contribute to this section. === Lighting === No special lighting need. You can use regular house hold bulbs to give extra heat and light need. You can also use a fluorescent light stripe if you want extra lighting for viewing. == Feeding == === Diet === Black rat snakes will eat mice and rats. Baby black rats should be fed pinkie mice once every 5 to 7 days. Move the prey item up the more they grow. Adult black rat snakes can easily handle small rats, feed once every 7 days. Don't be surprised to see how aggressive they eat sometimes. === Supplements === No supplements are needed for this snake. === Hydration === Please contribute to this section. == Advanced == === Sexing === Please contribute to this section. == Conclusion == Black rat snakes are mostly pretty calm, you may end up with a nippy one every once in a while. They should all become pretty tame after some handling though. These snakes are great for the novice and experienced alike. I would have to put these snakes on the same aspects of corns. == References == === Websites === Please contribute to this section. === Books === Please contribute to this section. == Author == This article was originally written by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=242 stone]. View other articles by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:stone stone]. Please note that others may have contributed to this article. [[Category:Care Guides]] [[Category:stone]]

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