Re: care of radiated rat snakes

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Posted by CD on November 18, 1999 at 18:50:02:

In Reply to: care of radiated rat snakes posted by Tess on November 18, 1999 at 12:22:02:

I would recommend the warmer temperatures you mentioned, especially for younger specimens. High humidity is a must, particularly during a shed cycle. Radiateds are prone to shedding problems if the humidity is too low. I mist mine every two or three days, and daily during shedding.
Mine are quite secretive. If not in their hideboxes, they are usually found burrowed in the substrate.
I would also suggest you handle them regularly, but this is up to you. Radiateds can be quite agressive, and are not at all hesitant to bite (usually repeatedly). Frequent handling may at least lessen these tendencies. A female I have normally ibtes me 4 or 5 times before I can get hold of her to pick her up. She seems particularly fond of striking at one's face. The threat display is quite fascinating to watch though. Her attitude is due in part to lack of handling.
Radiateds are a very interesting species to work with, and I thoroughly enjoy them, bad attitides and all.

: I am looking for some more detailed information on care of radiated rat snakes. I had been told that they need cooler temperatures than many of the colubrids and have been keeping them at house temp. I just found a care sheet that recommends 75-88 with high humidities. Is this more accurate? For those of you with radiated's, are yours quite active or are they very secretive?

: Some info I found also recommends holding the snakes frequently. I had decided to have them mainly as display snakes since they don't seem to enjoy being held and are so secretive. Is this a mistake?

: If anyone has web sites with additional info on this species, I'd love to know that as well.

: Thanks!

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: I would recommend the warmer temperatures you mentioned, especially for younger specimens. High humidity is a must, particularly during a shed cycle. Radiateds are prone to shedding problems if the humidity is too low. I mist mine every two or three days, and daily during shedding. : Mine are quite secretive. If not in their hideboxes, they are usually found burrowed in the substrate. : I would also suggest you handle them regularly, but this is up to you. Radiateds can be quite agressive, and are not at all hesitant to bite (usually repeatedly). Frequent handling may at least lessen these tendencies. A female I have normally ibtes me 4 or 5 times before I can get hold of her to pick her up. She seems particularly fond of striking at one's face. The threat display is quite fascinating to watch though. Her attitude is due in part to lack of handling. : Radiateds are a very interesting species to work with, and I thoroughly enjoy them, bad attitides and all. : : : : I am looking for some more detailed information on care of radiated rat snakes. I had been told that they need cooler temperatures than many of the colubrids and have been keeping them at house temp. I just found a care sheet that recommends 75-88 with high humidities. Is this more accurate? For those of you with radiated's, are yours quite active or are they very secretive? : : Some info I found also recommends holding the snakes frequently. I had decided to have them mainly as display snakes since they don't seem to enjoy being held and are so secretive. Is this a mistake? : : If anyone has web sites with additional info on this species, I'd love to know that as well. : : Thanks!

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