Re: Texas Rat ?

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Posted by TravisG on July 24, 2001 at 22:08:49:

In Reply to: Re: Texas Rat ? posted by Kristen and Matt on July 24, 2001 at 15:14:34:

Well, without having another Texas rat of the same size, and not having seen them before, it will be nearly impossible for you to tell the sex of the snake without a probe. Typicall male snakes will have a longer tail that taipers less rapidly. This is because the male snake has 2 hemipenises that, while not in use, run on either side of the tail from the cloaca (vent) towards the end. I would not put much stock into what someone said about the sex of the snake after they told you it eats crickets.
As for the bitting, although people may disagree with me, it should stop if he is handled frequently. I want to say all of my Texas rat snakes, but there might have been a couple, have calmed down with frequent handling. As for the bite, he will eventually draw some blood. But if you are calm and do not jerk away even a bite from a 6 footer doesnt really hurt.
And finally for size. A 3 1/2 foot Texas rat would be VERY small adult size. I would say more in the area of 4 1/2 to 6'. I currently have a yearling that is 36", and I did not power feed.
TravisG

: Our library book: FIeld Guide to Texas Snakes says the Tx rat is the most aggressive nonvenomous snake in Tx. He has bitten my son 3 times, and me once, but it feels only like a pin prick and does not draw blood. Other than that, if we are slow and gentle, he seems to like to be held and played with. Will his bites get stronger as he grows? My son would like to know how often he might shed. Also, the pet shop girl we asked when we first got him and were looking for info said the snake was probably male, but she also said to feed him crickets, which we llearned was not good advice, so I don't think I believe her. I've read about probing, but don't care to do that or have the equipment for that, so is there any other way to tell the sex. It's nice to talk to someone that has and/or likes Texas rats. We really appreciate the info since all of this is new to us.

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: Well, without having another Texas rat of the same size, and not having seen them before, it will be nearly impossible for you to tell the sex of the snake without a probe. Typicall male snakes will have a longer tail that taipers less rapidly. This is because the male snake has 2 hemipenises that, while not in use, run on either side of the tail from the cloaca (vent) towards the end. I would not put much stock into what someone said about the sex of the snake after they told you it eats crickets. : As for the bitting, although people may disagree with me, it should stop if he is handled frequently. I want to say all of my Texas rat snakes, but there might have been a couple, have calmed down with frequent handling. As for the bite, he will eventually draw some blood. But if you are calm and do not jerk away even a bite from a 6 footer doesnt really hurt. : And finally for size. A 3 1/2 foot Texas rat would be VERY small adult size. I would say more in the area of 4 1/2 to 6'. I currently have a yearling that is 36", and I did not power feed. : TravisG : : Our library book: FIeld Guide to Texas Snakes says the Tx rat is the most aggressive nonvenomous snake in Tx. He has bitten my son 3 times, and me once, but it feels only like a pin prick and does not draw blood. Other than that, if we are slow and gentle, he seems to like to be held and played with. Will his bites get stronger as he grows? My son would like to know how often he might shed. Also, the pet shop girl we asked when we first got him and were looking for info said the snake was probably male, but she also said to feed him crickets, which we llearned was not good advice, so I don't think I believe her. I've read about probing, but don't care to do that or have the equipment for that, so is there any other way to tell the sex. It's nice to talk to someone that has and/or likes Texas rats. We really appreciate the info since all of this is new to us.

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