Re: Please allow me to explain myself........

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Joey on December 23, 1999 at 13:29:03:

In Reply to: You seem very intelligent, Joey........not........... posted by dd on December 23, 1999 at 08:11:35:

: I had little time to explain this yesterday. I still insist on putting in my opinion.

If you would permit me to explain myself please.

I was given a rufodorsata earlier this year. I was not impressed.

It was adult at 24 inches (this for a ratsnake?), and lacked the tone and muscular grip of a king or ratsnake, as I know them. As I researched the species I found that they are considered by many not to even be ratsnakes, and those who do consider them as ratsnakes have little to base this on.

It ate poorly, a fuzzy or two. Never with anyone watching. I also tried it with fish and frogs (food items suggested by others) but these were refused. Again, a ratsnake that prefers (supposedly) fish and frogs? Not much of a ratsnake.

Everything I found on them indicated that large numbers of wild-caught snakes were imported in the last year or so. Most with very heavily loads of parasites. It was suggested I have it checked and (if need be) wormed. Lot of trouble and expense.

Within a month of the animal's donation to our institute, it died. If offered another, I would refuse it. Most other snakes (including specialists like rainbows, muds, and scarlet snakes) are more impressive, and easier to keep, for me. This may also have something to do with the fact that I prefer American species over imports.

I have kept; Bairds, Grays, Yellows, Blacks, Greenishs, Everglades, Texas, Corns, and Great Plains Ratsnakes. The rufodorsata was seriously a sorry ratsnake in my opinion. I have also had wonderful times with Prairie, Mole, Black, South Florida, Eastern, Speckled, Scarlet, Blotched, and Peninsula Kings, as well as Eastern Milks and Sinaloans. I lover garters and waters (most heavily loaded with parasites) and have never had a problem with them.

I may have gotten a sick and impossible specimen. But from my experience, and in my opinion, rufodorsata in not much of a snake.

Thank you for your polite comments about my intelligence, and may God bless you and your family and loved ones this holliday season, and provide you with safe and productive field work and breeding in the year 2000.

Happy holidays!

Joey

Follow Ups:

Re: Joey, you forgot to mention they give LIVE birth...definately not a ratsnake! Mike 12/25/99 (8)
- Not a ratsnake? Uhm are you OK are you sick? or just... oh well.. If it isnt a ratsnake then why oh why is it in the genus ELAPHE? Hmmmmmm please explain that one? Thanks n/p DougL 12/25/99 (7)
  - Why it's an Elaphe... Phil 12/25/99 (1)
    - Re: Why it's an Elaphe... Terry Cox 12/25/99 (0)
  - Opps and forgot this........ DougL 12/25/99 (4)
    - Well. i geuss until they are Thamnophis rufodorsata we can still call them ratsnakes seing as that's what they are classified as now.................n/p dd 12/25/99 (3)
      - Re: Well. i geuss until they are Thamnophis rufodorsata we can still call them ratsnakes seing as that's what they are classified as now.................n/p Mike 12/25/99 (2)
        
        Ummm, i was kinda trying to be funny,but............... dd 12/26/99 (1)
        
        Re: Ummm, i was kinda trying to be funny,but............... Terry Cox 12/26/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : I had little time to explain this yesterday. I still insist on putting in my opinion. : If you would permit me to explain myself please. : I was given a rufodorsata earlier this year. I was not impressed. : It was adult at 24 inches (this for a ratsnake?), and lacked the tone and muscular grip of a king or ratsnake, as I know them. As I researched the species I found that they are considered by many not to even be ratsnakes, and those who do consider them as ratsnakes have little to base this on. : It ate poorly, a fuzzy or two. Never with anyone watching. I also tried it with fish and frogs (food items suggested by others) but these were refused. Again, a ratsnake that prefers (supposedly) fish and frogs? Not much of a ratsnake. : Everything I found on them indicated that large numbers of wild-caught snakes were imported in the last year or so. Most with very heavily loads of parasites. It was suggested I have it checked and (if need be) wormed. Lot of trouble and expense. : Within a month of the animal's donation to our institute, it died. If offered another, I would refuse it. Most other snakes (including specialists like rainbows, muds, and scarlet snakes) are more impressive, and easier to keep, for me. This may also have something to do with the fact that I prefer American species over imports. : I have kept; Bairds, Grays, Yellows, Blacks, Greenishs, Everglades, Texas, Corns, and Great Plains Ratsnakes. The rufodorsata was seriously a sorry ratsnake in my opinion. I have also had wonderful times with Prairie, Mole, Black, South Florida, Eastern, Speckled, Scarlet, Blotched, and Peninsula Kings, as well as Eastern Milks and Sinaloans. I lover garters and waters (most heavily loaded with parasites) and have never had a problem with them. : I may have gotten a sick and impossible specimen. But from my experience, and in my opinion, rufodorsata in not much of a snake. : Thank you for your polite comments about my intelligence, and may God bless you and your family and loved ones this holliday season, and provide you with safe and productive field work and breeding in the year 2000. : Happy holidays! : Joey

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]