Rat Snakes as Pets: the Comprehensive Guide to Captive Rat Snake Care (2024)

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Rat snakes make excellent pets due to their docile nature and relatively simple care needs. They’re medium to large constrictors, typically 3-6 feet long, with varied coloration.

You’ll need a secure 30-40 gallon enclosure with climbing space, proper substrate, and hides. Feed them mice or rats every 7-10 days, using tongs.

Rat snakes are generally tolerant of handling but may display defensive behaviors like tail vibrating. With regular, gentle interaction, they’ll become acclimated.

Proper habitat setup and diet are key to a healthy pet rat snake. Keep exploring to discover more about these fascinating reptiles!

Rat Snake Overview

Rat snakes, also known as black rat snakes, make excellent pets for the experienced reptile enthusiast.

These hardy snakes are native to eastern North America and thrive in captivity with proper care.

Ranging from 3 to 6 feet in length, rat snakes are reasonably sized for many hobbyists.

While not endangered in the wild, captive breeding helps meet demand and promotes conservation.

With docile temperaments after acclimation, rat snakes tolerate regular handling using proper techniques.

Monitoring for signs of stress during shedding patterns is crucial.

Providing the right enclosure setup mimicking their natural habitat is key to successful rat snake care.

Physical Characteristics

Rat snakes are medium to large constrictors, typically reaching 3-5 feet in length, though some may exceed 6 feet. Their coloration varies by subspecies, ranging from solid black to gray with darker blotches, with some boasting yellow, orange, or greenish hues complemented by distinct patterns along their muscular, cylindrical bodies.

Size and Length

You’ll find rat snakes reach a sizable length, from 3-6 feet as adults. Females tend toward the larger side. Regional variations exist – northern specimens are typically smaller than their southern counterparts. Proper housing accommodates their impressive adult size.

Coloration and Patterns

The coloration and patterns of rat snakes vary greatly. From jet black to olive and yellow striped, their striking morphs derive from genetics and geographic variation. They also :

• Show dramatic color changes during shedding
• Exhibit unique hybrids when crossbred
• Stun with their beauty in the pantherophis obsoletus species

Agility and Climbing Ability

You’ll want climbing aids like branches for these agile snakes adapted to an arboreal lifestyle. Their muscular bodies let them scale surfaces easily, yet they’re docile and will stand ground if threatened. Habitat versatility demands secure housing and careful substrate texture.

Natural Habitat

Rat snakes are found across the southeastern and eastern United States, ranging as far north as New England and Michigan. They thrive in diverse habitats such as rocky glens, hardwood forests, river floodplains, swamp margins, and even abandoned buildings or barns.

Geographic Distribution

Preferred Environments

You’ll find rat snakes dwelling in diverse habitats across their geographic range, from rocky glens and hardwood forests to abandoned buildings. When designing their enclosure, recreate these varied environments with temperature gradients, humidity tolerance, and ample climbing room behind a secure latch. Proper habitat mimicry is key to their thriving.

Housing Requirements

When housing rat snakes as pets, you’ll need an appropriately sized enclosure, typically a 30- to 40-gallon tank for an adult, with secure latches and ample climbing space. The substrate should be easy to spot-clean, such as cypress mulch or aspen shavings, and you’ll want to include hides, branches for climbing, and a large water bowl for soaking.

Enclosure Size

As for housing, a 30- to 40-gallon tank is suitable for these hardy snakes that prefer cooler temperatures. Consider these enclosure size guidelines:

1. Minimum length: 3 times snake’s length
2. Width: 1/3 to 1/2 the length
3. Height: Climbing room – 1.5x snake’s length

Proper enclosure size provides ample living space and promotes wellbeing.

Substrate and Decor

You’ll want a bioactive substrate like cypress mulch or coconut husk, sphagnum moss, leaf litter, and semi-arid CUC critters. Decor like branches, hides, and water plants give your rat snake enrichment.

Temperature and Humidity

You’ll want to maintain a temperature gradient of 80-85°F, with moderate humidity (40-60%). Use reptile heat lights, avoiding hot rocks. Proper temps/humidity prevent respiratory issues in these snakes with sensitive respiratory systems.

Diet and Feeding

For a balanced diet, rat snakes should be given appropriate prey items such as mice, rats, or chicks, with the size and frequency dependent on the snake’s age and size. When feeding, it’s crucial to use proper techniques like tongs or forceps to prevent potential bites and make sure the snake recognizes the food source.

Prey Types

Their prey of choice? Live rodents, small birds, and occasionally pre-killed prey. Vary dietary options to meet nutritional needs. Rats are constricting snakes that suffocate prey before consuming it whole.

Feeding Frequency

You’ll need to feed adult rat snakes appropriately sized rodents every 7-10 days, while younger snakes require feeding twice weekly. Supplement their diet with vitamins to prevent mouth rot and other health issues common in pet snakes with black backs and lighter bellies.

Feeding Techniques

Rat snakes constrict their prey before eating it whole. Here are some feeding tips:

• Follow a consistent feeding schedule
• Provide appropriately-sized prey items
• Consider dietary supplements for ideal nutrition
• Offer fresh water after meals
• Avoid live feeding to prevent injuries

Temperament and Handling

Rat snakes are generally docile and tolerate handling well, but they may display defensive behaviors such as body wrinkles, tail vibrations, and musk emissions when initially startled. With regular, gentle interaction, these snakes quickly become accustomed to their owners and make excellent captive pets for those willing to provide proper care.

Defensive Behaviors

Though often mistaken for venomous snakes due to defensive posturing like tail buzzing and musk emission, rat snakes typically flee from confrontation if possible. Their fleeing behavior and predator mimicry bluffs are misinterpreted as aggression, but they’re generally not aggressive once their strong aromas and décor familiarity acclimates them—traits making these docile snakes great captives.

Docility and Handling

Despite their defensive behaviors, rat snakes make calm pets with regular handling. Socialize shy snakes gradually by offering treats during brief, frequent handling sessions. Provide enclosure enrichment to reduce stress. With proper socialization techniques, even snakes that initially vibrate their tails become comfortable being handled by attentive owners.

Health Concerns

Two of the main health concerns to watch out for when caring for a pet rat snake are blister disease and snake fungal disease (SFD).

Blister disease is caused by unsanitary, damp conditions.

SFD is a potentially fatal fungal infection that affects the mouth and face, preventing feeding.

Regular veterinary checkups are essential for early detection and treatment of any health issues.

Blister Disease

While generally docile, rat snakes can develop blister disease from unsanitary conditions. Watch for excess skin and discoloration. Prevent this fungal infection through proper hygiene, quarantine measures for new pets, and regular vet check-ups to catch issues early.

Snake Fungal Disease

Another dangerous health issue is Snake Fungal Disease (SFD), an infectious stomatitis that attacks the mouth and face. Symptoms include saliva bubbles and discolored skin. In advanced stages, SFD can cause respiratory infections. Prevent it through quarantine and disease-free pets.

Veterinary Care

Regular veterinary checkups are indispensable for preventing diseases like Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) and blister disease in your pet rat snake. SFD quarantine and treatment, along with proper husbandry from a reputable breeder, will maintain your snake’s eyes clear and mouth healthy.

Lighting and Heating

To provide adequate lighting and heating for your pet rat snake, you’ll need to set up both UVB lighting and basking areas. Heat sources such as ceramic heat emitters or basking bulbs should be used to create a temperature gradient within the enclosure, allowing your snake to thermoregulate effectively.

UVB Lighting

While rat snakes don’t require UVB lighting, providing a day-night cycle with incandescent bulbs is beneficial.

• Avoid hot rocks and under-tank heaters
• Use ceramic heat emitters to maintain proper heat gradients
• Mimic natural lighting with a 12-hour on/off schedule

Basking Areas

Basking lamps should provide a warm spot around 86°F. Use 75-100 watt incandescent bulbs in small domes, placed securely at one end of the enclosure. The basking area should be large enough for your snake to coil up comfortably.

Heat Sources

In addition to basking lamps, maintain proper heat gradients with ceramic heat emitters or radiant heat panels. These provide necessary warmth without visible white light, supporting your rat snake’s natural nocturnal activity and brumation cycles. Avoid hot rocks or under-tank heaters.

Humidity and Hydration

Maintaining proper humidity levels is essential for your rat snake’s health and comfort. Provide a water bowl large enough for soaking and mist the enclosure 1-2 times per week to achieve the recommended 40-50% humidity (60% during shedding).

Humidity Levels

Maintaining appropriate humidity levels is essential for your rat snake’s well-being. Target 40-50% humidity, increasing to 60% during shedding. Spray the enclosure 1-2 times per week and provide a humid hideout with moist sphagnum moss. This aids shedding, brumation, and prevents diseases like blister disease. Monitor humidity with a digital hygrometer for ideal care.

Water Sources

Provide your rat snake with a clean, fresh water source at all times. Here’s what you need to know:

• Use a heavy, shallow water bowl that won’t tip over
• Change the water daily and disinfect the bowl weekly
• Consider using a water filtration system for desirable water quality
• Mist the enclosure occasionally to boost humidity levels
• Monitor your snake’s hydration status regularly

Lifespan and Longevity

Concerning lifespan, rat snakes make popular pets due to their impressive longevity.

In captivity, with appropriate care, the average life expectancy for these resilient reptiles is an astounding 10 to 30 years! That’s right – by providing a suitable habitat, diet, and regular vet checkups, you can enjoy your scaly companion’s presence for decades.

While the maximum captive lifespan recorded is a whopping 30 years, most rat snakes live between 15 to 25 years when kept as pets.

Factors like genetics, diet, and brumation (hibernation) cycles can influence their lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)