Good question........

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Posted by Terry Cox on May 14, 2002 at 21:32:30:

In Reply to: It`s gorgeous! Question?... posted by VK on May 14, 2002 at 16:51:54:

There's several reasons I can think of for why this species isn't more prevalent, starting with the fact many ratsnake species had historically not been available for collectors to work with. Triaspis was reported to be a very difficult species to work with by the few who did bother to keep wild caught specimens. With the advent of the ratsnake specialist, there was a demand for new and challenging ratsnakes. Field collectors started keeping green rats to sell to these new hobbyists.

To answer your other question about breeding them, yes, there are a few breeders who are selling these now. They still are getting a pretty good price. One of the strikes against them, however, is that they are kinda nervous and don't make a good pet, but they can be worked with and bred. Another thing is that wild caught specimens usually have a number of internal and/or external parasite problems and are quite difficult to work with. Some folks have gotten gravid females which produced eggs, and have had the luck of starting with hatchlings. My babies are from captive hatched Mexican specimens.

Oh, and BTW, green rats are protected in New Mexico and in Arizona you're not allowed to sell them, but you can give them away.

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NICE SNAKE Terry.......................put me on your list...............> Dean 05/15/02 (0)

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: There's several reasons I can think of for why this species isn't more prevalent, starting with the fact many ratsnake species had historically not been available for collectors to work with. Triaspis was reported to be a very difficult species to work with by the few who did bother to keep wild caught specimens. With the advent of the ratsnake specialist, there was a demand for new and challenging ratsnakes. Field collectors started keeping green rats to sell to these new hobbyists. : To answer your other question about breeding them, yes, there are a few breeders who are selling these now. They still are getting a pretty good price. One of the strikes against them, however, is that they are kinda nervous and don't make a good pet, but they can be worked with and bred. Another thing is that wild caught specimens usually have a number of internal and/or external parasite problems and are quite difficult to work with. Some folks have gotten gravid females which produced eggs, and have had the luck of starting with hatchlings. My babies are from captive hatched Mexican specimens. : Oh, and BTW, green rats are protected in New Mexico and in Arizona you're not allowed to sell them, but you can give them away. : TC

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