Re: Black Ratsnake

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Posted by joey on August 05, 1999 at 09:57:07:

In Reply to: Black Ratsnake posted by kevin on August 04, 1999 at 13:11:40:

: Hello,
: Two days ago, I captured a black ratsnake. Today I let it go. It was about 3-4 feet long. Do captive born black rat snakes make good pets? I've kept cornsnakes, but I've heard that black ratsnakes are a bit more nervous/jumpy. Would the bite of a 4 foot black ratsnake be that painful?
: Thanks for any help,
: kevin

Hey Kevin,

I've caught tons of black rat snakes (BRS) and been bitten by them many times. No big deal; like getting scratched by briars. I have kept quite a few also. They are hardy and as indestructable as a snake can be. Some WC have parasites, but many are healthy. They feed readily on chicken eggs (warm to room temp, break one, and smear the egg on the shells of the others. They'll be eaten! Cheaper than mice/rats! but not good for a long term diet), rabbits, road killed squirrels, rats, mice, and birds (song birds are protected; use baby/small chickens). Some BRS are very quiet and gentle, others may be snappy. Most are fairly peacefull. Here in the SC upstate, they average 60 inches (5 feet) as adults, but I've caught many in the 72 - 76 inch range. I measured one at 78 inches, and have the skin of one that was 83 inches (6 foot/11 inches) that was killed by a local farmer as it constricted a chicken! (not a chick, not a poult, but an adult chicken- and he could have swallowed it!). Anyway, give the BRS a try. Disadvantages? Sure, they may be big, and eat a lot! They have big messy bowel movements. They are clumsy and knock over the water bowl, they are strong enough to break out of cages that would hold other snakes, and loose in a room they often climb and knock stuff over. But they really are great snakes, and you should experience one at least. Good luck. Joey

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Re: Black Ratsnake john 8/27/99 (0)

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: : Hello, : : Two days ago, I captured a black ratsnake. Today I let it go. It was about 3-4 feet long. Do captive born black rat snakes make good pets? I've kept cornsnakes, but I've heard that black ratsnakes are a bit more nervous/jumpy. Would the bite of a 4 foot black ratsnake be that painful? : : Thanks for any help, : : kevin : Hey Kevin, : I've caught tons of black rat snakes (BRS) and been bitten by them many times. No big deal; like getting scratched by briars. I have kept quite a few also. They are hardy and as indestructable as a snake can be. Some WC have parasites, but many are healthy. They feed readily on chicken eggs (warm to room temp, break one, and smear the egg on the shells of the others. They'll be eaten! Cheaper than mice/rats! but not good for a long term diet), rabbits, road killed squirrels, rats, mice, and birds (song birds are protected; use baby/small chickens). Some BRS are very quiet and gentle, others may be snappy. Most are fairly peacefull. Here in the SC upstate, they average 60 inches (5 feet) as adults, but I've caught many in the 72 - 76 inch range. I measured one at 78 inches, and have the skin of one that was 83 inches (6 foot/11 inches) that was killed by a local farmer as it constricted a chicken! (not a chick, not a poult, but an adult chicken- and he could have swallowed it!). Anyway, give the BRS a try. Disadvantages? Sure, they may be big, and eat a lot! They have big messy bowel movements. They are clumsy and knock over the water bowl, they are strong enough to break out of cages that would hold other snakes, and loose in a room they often climb and knock stuff over. But they really are great snakes, and you should experience one at least. Good luck. Joey

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