Baby black ratsnake - newbie owner

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Posted by Molly K on October 23, 2000 at 18:37:20:

(If I posted this twice- my apologies- I am new to this forum)

Two days ago I found a small black ratsnake in the nestbox with my 3 week old baby rabbits. It's approx 15" long, grey with blotched markings, has a bar across the head. Photos I have seen so far ID it as a juvenile ratsnake, and I know the black ratsnake is common here so that's my best guess as to species LOL.

Anyhow- I have had corn snakes before. They were okay, I suppose, but rather jumpy and snippy. This little bugger is the same way- strikes at anything and rattles its tail. It freaks out when it sees me. Once I pick it up, it's fairly mellow, but I've heard they are pretty frumpy, aggressive snakes and not suited for pets.

I had planned on keeping it over the winter and then possibly releasing it in the spring- I miss having snakes & this little thing is the perfect size for me now.

Will it ever settle down? Am I doing the right thing by keeping it captive for the winter months, or should I just turn it loose?

Also, I am having huge problems finding pinky mice to feed it. The pet stores here have frozen ones. I could not believe their prices, though- one place wanted $19.98 for a frozen blister pack of 10, another wanted $1.25 each for 50, and the last place wanted $2.98 for a *single* frozen mouse, adult, pinky, whatever! Ordering bulk frozen mice online would be nice (if I could afford it), but honestly I don't need 50 or 100 frozen pinky mice right now.

Any ideas? If push comes to shove and I can't keep it, I suppose I'd just give it to someone if they want it LOL.

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Re: Baby black ratsnake - newbie owner ratman 10/24/00 (0)

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: (If I posted this twice- my apologies- I am new to this forum) : Two days ago I found a small black ratsnake in the nestbox with my 3 week old baby rabbits. It's approx 15" long, grey with blotched markings, has a bar across the head. Photos I have seen so far ID it as a juvenile ratsnake, and I know the black ratsnake is common here so that's my best guess as to species LOL. : Anyhow- I have had corn snakes before. They were okay, I suppose, but rather jumpy and snippy. This little bugger is the same way- strikes at anything and rattles its tail. It freaks out when it sees me. Once I pick it up, it's fairly mellow, but I've heard they are pretty frumpy, aggressive snakes and not suited for pets. : I had planned on keeping it over the winter and then possibly releasing it in the spring- I miss having snakes & this little thing is the perfect size for me now. : Will it ever settle down? Am I doing the right thing by keeping it captive for the winter months, or should I just turn it loose? : Also, I am having huge problems finding pinky mice to feed it. The pet stores here have frozen ones. I could not believe their prices, though- one place wanted $19.98 for a frozen blister pack of 10, another wanted $1.25 each for 50, and the last place wanted $2.98 for a *single* frozen mouse, adult, pinky, whatever! Ordering bulk frozen mice online would be nice (if I could afford it), but honestly I don't need 50 or 100 frozen pinky mice right now. : Any ideas? If push comes to shove and I can't keep it, I suppose I'd just give it to someone if they want it LOL.

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