Re: Radiated rat snake feeding...

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Posted by CD on September 28, 1999 at 18:46:14:

In Reply to: Radiated rat snake feeding... posted by Patrick Alexander on September 28, 1999 at 18:12:54:

This is merely a solution that has worked for me with radiateds. I purchased a pair of 6 month old radiateds last December. The female ate with enthusiasm from the beginning, but the male ate one meal in 6 weeks or so. They were housed in very basic rubbermaid enclosures with paper towel substrate, so I could better monitor them for the first couple of months.
I noticed the male was more nervous than the female, and decided insecurity could be a factor. I set him up in a naturalistic cage with cypress mulch (which he constantly burrowed in), hiding places, and some artificial plants. Within two days he began eating like crazy and hasn't refused a meal since.
A couple of other tips if you don't mind unsolicited advice. Keep an eye out for shed cycles and mist them regularly, I have noticed a high occurance of shedding problems with these if the humidity gets low. Also handle them. I am not in the habit of handling my snakes very often, and my female radiated was especially docile from day one. But with a few months of age and growth, she acquired quite an attitude. She has now been dubbed spawn of satan. I can honestly say I have never encountered a snake that seemed to relish attack with practically no provocation, as much as this one. She particularly enjoys facial strikes, but will never turn down a finger or arm if the face is too far out of range. The threat display (more of a warning of the inevitable), is quite an interesting sight however. The inflating of the neck, and gaping makes for a cool performance.

Follow Ups:

Re: Radiated rat snake feeding... Patrick Alexander 9/29/99 (3)
- Re: Radiated rat snake feeding... CD 9/30/99 (1)
  - Cool. Thanks for the info. ~n/p~ Patrick Alexander 10/01/99 (0)
- Re: Radiated rat snake feeding... Patrick Alexander 9/29/99 (0)

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: This is merely a solution that has worked for me with radiateds. I purchased a pair of 6 month old radiateds last December. The female ate with enthusiasm from the beginning, but the male ate one meal in 6 weeks or so. They were housed in very basic rubbermaid enclosures with paper towel substrate, so I could better monitor them for the first couple of months. : I noticed the male was more nervous than the female, and decided insecurity could be a factor. I set him up in a naturalistic cage with cypress mulch (which he constantly burrowed in), hiding places, and some artificial plants. Within two days he began eating like crazy and hasn't refused a meal since. : A couple of other tips if you don't mind unsolicited advice. Keep an eye out for shed cycles and mist them regularly, I have noticed a high occurance of shedding problems with these if the humidity gets low. Also handle them. I am not in the habit of handling my snakes very often, and my female radiated was especially docile from day one. But with a few months of age and growth, she acquired quite an attitude. She has now been dubbed spawn of satan. I can honestly say I have never encountered a snake that seemed to relish attack with practically no provocation, as much as this one. She particularly enjoys facial strikes, but will never turn down a finger or arm if the face is too far out of range. The threat display (more of a warning of the inevitable), is quite an interesting sight however. The inflating of the neck, and gaping makes for a cool performance.

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