Black Rat Snake
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
| - | The BRS is a large snake from North America. | + | [[Image:Black_coils_of_fast.jpg|thumb|left|Photo by Main Author]]The BRS is a large snake from North America. They have a wide range leading from Central New York all the way down into NE Texas and Georgia. They have footholds as far north as Wisconsin and Ontario. They have just as wide a range of habitats. From farmlands to rocky plains, mountain hillsides to preferring trees and shrubs. |
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| + | As neonates these snakes have distinct gray patterns witch turn to the typical black as they mature. The adults have a white or yellowish belly with a white/cream throat making for a rich contrast. | ||
== Difficulty == | == Difficulty == | ||
| - | + | Beginner. Once the captive bred black rat snakes are past the nippy neonate stage, they tend to be extremely docile animals with the proper handling. Much of their behavior is like their cousin the cornsnake. Even wild black rat snakes are capable of being handled by experienced herpers. | |
== Basic Info == | == Basic Info == | ||
=== Humidity === | === Humidity === | ||
| - | + | A simple humid hide filled with sphagnum moss is an ideal way to provide some form of humidity. Occasional misting in the cage will also help. Setting a UTH under the water dish will also add humidity to the air. | |
=== Lighting === | === Lighting === | ||
=== Hydration === | === Hydration === | ||
| - | + | A heavy water dish should always be made available with fresh water. The snake will drink from it when needed. | |
== Advanced == | == Advanced == | ||
=== Sexing === | === Sexing === | ||
| - | + | Sexing these snakes is extremely difficult visually. They look exactly alike. An experienced vet or breeder can sex the snake by ''probing'' an older snake or ''popping'' a young snake. Neither of these options should ever be done if you have never had experience. ''Probing'' is sticking a special instrument in through the cloaca using the depth the tool goes in for sex determination. ''Popping'' a young snake requires gently pressing on the cloacal area until the male's hemipenes "pop" out. You can see the obvious potential for serious harm in both of these procedures and why it needs to be done by an experienced professional. | |
== Conclusion == | == Conclusion == | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
=== Websites === | === Websites === | ||
| - | + | *[http://webspinners.com/coloherp/cb-news/archive/careshts/ratsnake.php Care and Captive Breeding of North American Ratsnakes - by Bill Griswold V] | |
| + | *[http://www.grare.org/animal_resources/caresheets/blackratsnakebasiccare.pdf Black Rat Snake Care by GRARE] | ||
| + | *[http://www.reptileallsorts.com/blkratcareguide.htm General Care Guide for the Black Rat Snake - Written by Robert Gilbert] | ||
=== Books === | === Books === | ||
| - | + | *Care and Captive Breeding of North American Ratsnakes. - Griswold, B. V. | |
| + | *Keeping and Breeding Corn Snakes. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside C.A. - McEachern, M.J. | ||
| + | *Black Rat Snake - Riggs, D. | ||
== Author == | == Author == | ||
