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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
 Posted - 12/09/2010 : 19:55:04
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Hey everyone !
I've had a year old Anery corn snake for about 3 months , it was really tame and calm probably as it was handled gently every day . It hid under it's little coconut during daylight hours .
Anyways , the lad at the local shop told me about rat snakes and said how similar to cornsnakes they were and syitable for novices like myself , so as there is no way my wife will allow another snake through the doors I decided to part ex my cornsnake for a Rat Snake ! It looks very similar to my corn as it is a sort of dark grey and dull white . The lad was sure the black would go darker and the off white go whiter .
My main concern was that the new rat snake although slightly smaller is certainly different personality , it did it's best to stretch upwards to avoid going into the viv doors , my corn snakes went in gladly and slipped under it's coconut straight away . Also noticed that when I touched the rat snakes back gently it turned instantly and threatened to bite . Mr corn NEVER did anything like that and I just hope I haven't made a big mistake !
............ carrying on ....... I have read on the Internet that they can grow up to 8 foot long and are MORE likely to bite than Corn snakes , and the bite is really painful and has to be treated to avoid infection !!
It was an impulse buy as I took my corn snake in to see if they thought it was ready to move up to furries from pinkies ..
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:04:57
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Yes, rat snakes can grow up to that size, but depends on the type. Did the shop tell you what your rat snake is when you got it.
Rats are also more prone to trying to bite, they are more feisty than corns and also more inquisitive and will spend more time out of the hides and wandering around the Viv.
Really impulse buying a snake is not the best idea in the world. Also where you say the lad was sure that the snake would change colours, doesn't sound like he was very confident in knowing what type of rat snake it is, if he was he could definitely have told you.
Have you made a mistake? only you can answer this one, it all depends really on what you want from the snake in the first place |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:12:54
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Best of both worlds I guess !
Interesting , interested in what's going on , but friendly ...... certainly don't want to be randomly bitten ,especially if it really hurts as it gets older .
It was simply sold as a Black Rat Snake , even though it's sort of black and White . |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:16:48
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Strangely enough Black rat snakes have a bit of a reputation for being feisty, but haven't really noticed it from either of mine.
The black rat snake is not always just black, depends on the hets so if you post a few piccies  , also they wont reach 8 foot, 6 at most generally |
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rachiepotatoe
Hatchling
United Kingdom
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:22:26
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Why did you part exchange your corn anyway may I ask?  |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:25:20
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I just wanted something that didn't hide away all the time , seems a bit callous thinking about it .
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I am a bit impulsive , maybe this will teach me a valuable lesson .
Hopefly |
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rachiepotatoe
Hatchling
United Kingdom
393 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 20:29:18
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I'd be begging for my corn back if I were you, but that's just me.
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 21:19:56
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quote:
Originally posted by rachiepotatoe
I'd be begging for my corn back if I were you, but that's just me.
I will give it some TLC and patient , gentle handling and hope for the best , I can't be doing with random bites so it may have to go back as you said . |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 21:28:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Zincubus
I will give it some TLC and patient , gentle handling and hope for the best , I can't be doing with random bites so it may have to go back as you said .
absolutely nothing wrong with black rat snakes, given the correct care and husbandry.
Random bites can and do occur with any snake so before jumping ship with the new one give some thought to that. |
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Edited by - gmac on 12/09/2010 21:29:50 |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2010 : 23:53:00
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Thanks everyone !
My wife would not allow another snake and viv through the door so I have considered the possibility of a swap for a few weeks , I was just struck by it's stunning looks and inquisitiveness .
Thought it just may be fate to come across it whilst I had my snake with me at the time .
Anyways , don't want you guys thinking I'm a thoughtless uncaring person , far from it tbh ..
In wet weather I always stop and pick up worms/slugs/snails up off the pavement and put them safe , so they don't get trod on by others .
I think I could get away with a hatchling , though , in the future :) |
Edited by - Zincubus on 12/09/2010 23:54:27 |
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drchino
Yearling
United Kingdom
660 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 00:10:27
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| No way could I trade in my Izzy! I'd be heartbroken! |
0.1.0 Izzy - Amber Motley Corn
0.2.0 White rats - Rose and Myra
0.0.1 Crested Gecko - Yoshi |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 01:19:59
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So given my obvious concerns for the future , do you guys and gals think I should just take it back to the shop and stick with Corn Snakes for the forseable future or persist with this feisty little (14") Rat Snake ?
Remember my daughter is even more timid than me :)
Bump |
Edited by - Zincubus on 13/09/2010 18:46:27 |
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FiestaSTLou
Yearling
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 09:22:33
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| I think thats something you need to decide for yourself :) it really depends what you want out of a snake :) |
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gregDT
Egg
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 11:02:01
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Frankly it all a little down to chance. There are probably Corn Snakes out there that given half a chance would bite your hand off and Rat Snakes that are as gentle as lambs. You could trade in your Rat Snake for a 'Corn from Hell', although that's very unlikely as Corns are quite placid. 
I enjoy Corn Snakes as although mine spend much of his day in his hide, when he does venture out he looks magnificent with his orange and red colouration. For me Rat Snakes cannot compete in the beauty stakes with a Corn (but that's very much a personal opinion).
On the other hand I'm beginning the process of finding a second snake which will probably be a Jungle Carpet Python as I'd also like something that likes to spend it's days out doors. As mentioned it's really down to what 'floats your boat'. For me it was buying a beautiful exotic looking snake, hence the Corn Snake. |
Greg |
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FiestaSTLou
Yearling
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 11:21:45
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| greg just wanted to say u have a beutiful snakey, love the markings :) |
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gregDT
Egg
United Kingdom
84 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 11:30:31
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Thanks, I had to pay a bit more for him, but was worth every penny.
Also no offence to Rat Snake Owners, they have a very distinctive 'snakey' look (the snakes not the owners  ), I'm just making the point that there is so much choice when it comes to looks that ownership has to come down to personal aesthetic preference as much as practical husbandry considerations, IMHO. |
Greg |
Edited by - gregDT on 13/09/2010 11:31:58 |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 12:28:49
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quote:
Originally posted by gregDT
Also no offence to Rat Snake Owners, they have a very distinctive 'snakey' look (the snakes not the owners ), I'm just making the point that there is so much choice when it comes to looks that ownership has to come down to personal aesthetic preference as much as practical husbandry considerations, IMHO.
you have a very nice RED RAT SNAKE greg, ,
Rat snakes and corn snakes are all part of one big family.
There is absolutely no gaurantee that whatever snake you get will not bite, yes corns have a more tolerant attitude but as I have said above any snake can bite. It all comes down to what you want and only you can make that decision.
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eeji
The Morph Master
United Kingdom
4335 Posts |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 18:47:17
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quote:
Originally posted by Zincubus
So given my obvious concerns for the future , do you guys and gals think I should just take it back to the shop and stick with Corn Snakes for the forseable future or persist with this feisty little (14") Rat Snake ?
Remember my daughter is even more timid than me :)
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2010 : 23:13:30
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Am I correct in thinking that this juvenile Black Rat Snake will eventually turn all black apart from it's chin which should remain White .
At the moment it's mainly creamy white with small black patches . |
Edited by - Zincubus on 13/09/2010 23:14:13 |
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Zincubus
Hatchling
197 Posts |
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Have I just made a massive mistake ????
Topic Locked
