Moon's Graden

by **pjer..** » Fri, 03 Nov 1995 04:00:00

I recently acquired a pair of baby Texas rat snakes. Both are
approximately 14" long. At feedings, both took fuzzies with no
problems. The day after their first, I noticed upon inspecting their
cage what appeared to be a regurgitated food item. At that time I
couldn't tell from which it had come, the fuzzies fed were rather small
and there was not a noticeable bulge on either snake. Anyway, at the
last feeding, both took fuzzies readily again. This time, the day after,
there was once again a regugitated mouse to be found. These were a
little larger than the previous, and the affected snake was discovered.
He takes food readily, but so far has yet to keep it down. He also
appears to be starting a shedding cycle (eyecaps opaque and underbelly
dull). Anybody have any experience on this, maybe a similar occurrence?
Any help would be appreciated. I would really hate to lose him. Both
are attractive snakes, but he's the more amiable of the two. My first
thought at finding the initial food item regugitated was that it might be
an isolated incident, then another was found at the next feeding.
Also, anybody know the sub-classification of the Texas rat snake:
elaphe obsoleta "?".... I know there's E. o. obsoltea, quadrivatta, etc.
but not sure of the correct one for the Texas rat.
--
Jeremy S. Peacock
|\ \/ <> _ \|/ XIV
| | /\ /\ | LXXXVIII

by **era..** » Fri, 03 Nov 1995 04:00:00

Elaphe obsoleta Say, 1823.......................Rat Snake
E. o. lindheimeri Baird & Girard, 1853....Texas Rat Snake
E. o. obsoleta Say, 1923...................Black Rat Snake
E. o. quadrivittata Holbrook, 1836.........Yellow Rat Snake
E. o. rossalleni Neill, 1949...............Everglades Rat Snake
E. o. spiloides Dumeril, Bibron, Dumeril, 1854 Gray Rat Snake
.
From A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SCIENTIFIC & COMMON NAMES
OF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS OF THE WORLD
by Norman Frank & Erica Ramus
1995, NG Publishing, Inc.
e-mail me for more info
.
Editor
Reptile & Amphibian Magazine

THE MAGAZINE FOR SERIOUS HERPERS
http://www.pottsville.com/reptile.htm
.
384 pages...$19.95

by **Paul J Holland** » Sun, 05 Nov 1995 04:00:00

Quote:

>I recently acquired a pair of baby Texas rat snakes. Both are
>approximately 14" long. At feedings, both took fuzzies with no
>problems. The day after their first, I noticed upon inspecting their
>cage what appeared to be a regurgitated food item. At that time I
>couldn't tell from which it had come, the fuzzies fed were rather small
>and there was not a noticeable bulge on either snake. Anyway, at the
>last feeding, both took fuzzies readily again. This time, the day after,
>there was once again a regugitated mouse to be found. These were a
>little larger than the previous, and the affected snake was discovered.
>He takes food readily, but so far has yet to keep it down. He also
>appears to be starting a shedding cycle (eyecaps opaque and underbelly
>dull). Anybody have any experience on this, maybe a similar occurrence?
>Any help would be appreciated. I would really hate to lose him. Both
>are attractive snakes, but he's the more amiable of the two. My first
>thought at finding the initial food item regugitated was that it might be
>an isolated incident, then another was found at the next feeding.
>Also, anybody know the sub-classification of the Texas rat snake:
>elaphe obsoleta "?".... I know there's E. o. obsoltea, quadrivatta, etc.
>but not sure of the correct one for the Texas rat.
>--
>Jeremy S. Peacock
> |\ \/ <> _ \|/ XIV
> | | /\ /\ | LXXXVIII

If possible, separate the snakes into two cages. And check the
temperature. Rat snakes should get into the 80-85 F temperature range
during the day, 70-75 F at night. If the other snake is chasing the
regurgitating snake out of the warmer area into the colder part of the
cage, this could cause the symptoms you describe. Or there could be a
intestinal problem, possibly with flagellates in the stomach, in which
case the reguritating snake needs vet cage and a separate cage to
prevent transmission to the other snake. But I'd work on the
possibility of a temperature problem, first.

Behold the tortoise: he makes no progress unless he sticks his neck out.

by **Jeff Hil** » Wed, 08 Nov 1995 04:00:00

I have had the same problem with a rat snake (corn snake). The first corn
I had from this place just refused to eat, and within two weeks emaciated
to the point of death. This is shocking, because I know a snake can live
more than 2 weeks without a meal... Hell, I had a corn go 6 months without
eating (unintentional, but that is another story). Anyway, this corn had
a blockage (easy to tell because it was albino, there was a huge black
blob in its lower gut). Then, I took it back to get another corn, this
time a regular phase. This one went 4 weeks regurgitating, and I took it
back (it was fed very small pinkies). They had no idea. I figured they
were the wrong place to get corns let alone anything else. But, since I
hada credit, I got a california kingsnake. It is an incredible feeder,
and it is kept in the same cage as the other two (after cleaned out of
course), and it is doing absolutely wonderful.

Anyway, they told me they have alot of problems with baby corns eating,
simply because they are so small.

Jeff

by **DON ALFO** » Sun, 12 Nov 1995 04:00:00

Often this sort of problem is caused by nervousness. Or ambient
temperature. Leave the snake strictly alone! Alot of "petters" want
to "communicate" with their charges. This is usually counterproductive.
I'd make sure the critter has a good hiding place, use only killed prey,
and leave it alone. Temperature is sometimes a consideration. Try to
duplicate natural conditions. For example if a dessert snake is
accustomed to cold nights, 86 the heat rock and open the window.

by **Dave Brook** » Thu, 16 Nov 1995 04:00:00

I aquired an *** (est 2 years) texas rat in september. The first
time I fed him was fine but the next two he regurgitated. After this I
got a bit worried so next time I fed him I covered the viv with a black
t-shirt. This time he was fine. He had taken two large mice and both
stayed down.

I have since moved him to the top level of a 4 storey viv so he is out
of sight of most passing traffic (except when I go looking in which is
probably too often). He hasnt regurgitated anything since.

I would give a word of warning, he is a lovely snake but boy, what
a temper. I really love him but he had a good few bites in the early
weeks. I just kept on handlimg him once every couple of days, using
BIG leather gloves to get him out. He has never really been a problem
once he is out - Ive only been bitten once after getting him out but
there is still a lot of fuss and tail vibrating if someone strange or
the dog comes in the room.

The previous owner broke his tail (shut in viv door?) so i guess hes
got an excuse for being ratty (ha ha). His name is Raptor!

Good luck with yours.
sandy

by **Westelap** » Mon, 20 Nov 1995 04:00:00

Sandy,in my experience the only reason a Texas rat snake needs to be ***
is the fact that he's still breathing!In all seriousness all of ours are
wonderful animals,even though always unpredictable(Except the Leucistic
pair,predictabely ***!)
good luck
Keep handling him-he'll get manageable

Bear

Moon's Graden

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem

Rat Snake Problem