BTW, I think you can rule out black rat snakes because of the size..

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Posted by Patrick Alexander on October 05, 1999 at 21:02:11:

In Reply to: Re: My dad found a Rat of Fox snake- need help posted by John on October 05, 1999 at 17:49:16:

: : My dad found a snake that lookes like a great plains rat snake or a fox snake. I am not sure what it is. I live in Rockford Illinois, about 90 miles north of Chicago. It is about 10 inches long and it is about 1 cm thick and looks like a hatchling. Now it is in a small cage about 7" by 12" with some repti bark. What else do I need to do for the habitat and what should I feed it?

: : Thanks

: What color is the snake. If it gray with dark blotching, you might have found a black rat (Elaphe ob.), but if it is brown then it's a fox snake (Elaphe vul.) Both of these snakes can survive the harsh winters found in IL. Besides want you have mention, a heat pad at one end of the cage and a small hide box will be all you need. Your snake will feed easily on pink mice (fresh or frozen) found at your local pet store. Hope this helps.

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Sorry, meant to continue that... 10" is awfully small for a hatchling black rat, since they're usually in the 12-15" range. ~n/p~ Patrick Alexander 10/05/99 (1)
- I have found black rats as small as 11 inches in Chicago. Ten inches may not be an accurate measurement of the snake. John 10/06/99 (0)

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: : : My dad found a snake that lookes like a great plains rat snake or a fox snake. I am not sure what it is. I live in Rockford Illinois, about 90 miles north of Chicago. It is about 10 inches long and it is about 1 cm thick and looks like a hatchling. Now it is in a small cage about 7" by 12" with some repti bark. What else do I need to do for the habitat and what should I feed it? : : : Thanks : : What color is the snake. If it gray with dark blotching, you might have found a black rat (Elaphe ob.), but if it is brown then it's a fox snake (Elaphe vul.) Both of these snakes can survive the harsh winters found in IL. Besides want you have mention, a heat pad at one end of the cage and a small hide box will be all you need. Your snake will feed easily on pink mice (fresh or frozen) found at your local pet store. Hope this helps.

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