Re: Questions on Leucistic Texas Rat Snakes

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Posted by TMichael on January 15, 2002 at 07:43:22:

In Reply to: Questions on Leucistic Texas Rat Snakes posted by Donny Lonovy on January 15, 2002 at 02:58:40:

Donny,

I'm not an expert but here is what I believe I know. If you find someone else's opinion you like better go with it. Leucistic TX rats like all TX rats have the reputation of being mean. Some are and some are not, some are mean as babies and get docile with handling some are mean as babies and never grow out of it. I have one orange phase that is currently 3'-4'. I have had her since she was a hatchling, she has never bitten or hissed ... NOT ONCE. She is one of my favorite snakes. I have two leucistic/albino TX rats, they started mean but have calmed down a lot. I believe they will eventually be relatively calm snakes. This is true of every species but the TX rats seem to hold on to the reputation. About 8 years ago we had a wild caught TX rat that was close to 5'. We kept him for a season but he never took to being handled. I have noticed that the TX rat does not seem to strike out like a lot of snakes but rather just slowly calmly turns and bites when it is tired of being handled. I have not noticed that type of behavior with any other snake, though it may exist.

The bug eyes are genetic, associated with the leucistic. Most good breeders will out-cross to normals occasionally to avoid the bug eyes.

Good Luck, Have Fun,

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: Donny, : I'm not an expert but here is what I believe I know. If you find someone else's opinion you like better go with it. Leucistic TX rats like all TX rats have the reputation of being mean. Some are and some are not, some are mean as babies and get docile with handling some are mean as babies and never grow out of it. I have one orange phase that is currently 3'-4'. I have had her since she was a hatchling, she has never bitten or hissed ... NOT ONCE. She is one of my favorite snakes. I have two leucistic/albino TX rats, they started mean but have calmed down a lot. I believe they will eventually be relatively calm snakes. This is true of every species but the TX rats seem to hold on to the reputation. About 8 years ago we had a wild caught TX rat that was close to 5'. We kept him for a season but he never took to being handled. I have noticed that the TX rat does not seem to strike out like a lot of snakes but rather just slowly calmly turns and bites when it is tired of being handled. I have not noticed that type of behavior with any other snake, though it may exist. : The bug eyes are genetic, associated with the leucistic. Most good breeders will out-cross to normals occasionally to avoid the bug eyes. : Good Luck, Have Fun,

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