Re: I NEED ADVICE!

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

Posted by CD on February 18, 2000 at 07:01:51:

In Reply to: I NEED ADVICE! posted by Tara on February 17, 2000 at 22:19:27:

First of all, you might consider doing some research BEFORE you buy a snake, then you may be prepared to at least meet its basic requirements.

>> I recently purchased a white oak rat snake.(I still can't seem to find anything on that type of snake!?!)

I would say you have a grey rat snake, "white oak" is just a phase if you will. They tend to stay lighter and retain a much nicer pattern with age.

>>How are they as pets?

It depends greatly on the individual. They have had a bad reputation in the past, but I believe this was mainly due to alot of WC specimens. All of the CB greys I have had have been fairly docile.

>>Will it ever get nasty as it gets older?

If you handle it a few times per week it should grow to be a docile adult. By docile I only mean not quick to bite. They are a high strung species that can be a handful to keep up with when handling a large one.

>>How hot should I keep the tank?

Provide a warm area via an under tank heater in the mid 80's, with one end of the cage cooler, in the mid 70's, so he can choose at what temperature he's comfortable.

>>Are newspapers and/or papertowels the best substrate?

It depends on what you mean by best. Paper towels work fine, especially with hatchlings, and newspaper is an adequate substrate for adults if you are not particularly concerned with the cage being visually appealing.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: First of all, you might consider doing some research BEFORE you buy a snake, then you may be prepared to at least meet its basic requirements. : : >> I recently purchased a white oak rat snake.(I still can't seem to find anything on that type of snake!?!) : I would say you have a grey rat snake, "white oak" is just a phase if you will. They tend to stay lighter and retain a much nicer pattern with age. : >>How are they as pets? : It depends greatly on the individual. They have had a bad reputation in the past, but I believe this was mainly due to alot of WC specimens. All of the CB greys I have had have been fairly docile. : >>Will it ever get nasty as it gets older? : If you handle it a few times per week it should grow to be a docile adult. By docile I only mean not quick to bite. They are a high strung species that can be a handful to keep up with when handling a large one. : >>How hot should I keep the tank? : Provide a warm area via an under tank heater in the mid 80's, with one end of the cage cooler, in the mid 70's, so he can choose at what temperature he's comfortable. : >>Are newspapers and/or papertowels the best substrate? : It depends on what you mean by best. Paper towels work fine, especially with hatchlings, and newspaper is an adequate substrate for adults if you are not particularly concerned with the cage being visually appealing.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

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