Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[lovesnakes]

Hi everyone,

you all seem exceptionally knowledgeable so i am wondering if i could ask you to take a look at attached picture and tell me if this is in fact a Russian/Amur rat?!

I believed it to be, but looking at the pictures of the female Russian posted recently (glad to hear everything ok now by the way ) I'm now doubting myself

I know he his male!? bit of big boy at 6 ft, approx' 7 years old..

any thoughts welcome

thanks
Andy

[penfold]

yep that looks like an amur russian rat to me we have a pair for sale where i work
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[lovesnakes]

Cheers Penfold, what do they go for these days? just out of interest...

[peaches]

Price can vary but about £80 up really...although snakes n adders have 06 in at £45...just for comparison.

Very very nice
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www.ratsnakefoundation.org

[Windy]

Hi Andy

Are you comparing yours to the photo that Fatboy posted of his Female Russian Ratsnake (Elaphe schrencki) ? It can be very confusing the common name Amur ratsnake is used interchangeable with the Korean Ratsnake (Elaphe anomala). You have a superb example of a Korean Ratsnake there. Until recently they were a subspecies of the Russian Ratsnake and known as Elaphe schrencki anomala but Helfenberger in 2001 elevated them to full species status.
Sue x
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The Ratsnake Foundation
http://www.ratsnakefoundation.org

I'm told I talk in shorthand and then smudge it !

[lovesnakes]

[Windy]

Hi Andy ... Yep info on this species and alot of Ratsnakes is quiet scarse to find .. hope the following ramblings help some ...

Bit of natural history:

The Korean Ratsnake is native to Northeast China and Korea where it is found in regions up to 2000m in altitude, it is semi-aboreal and lives in a variety of biotopes: grasslands, dry scrub, rocky areas and on the banks of rivers and lakes. E. anomala is primarily a diurnal snake and also a nest raider, showing a preference of small rodents, birds and their eggs.

Random Notes:

In captivity they require a thermal gradient of between 70F cool end and 80F hot end. A medium sized ratsnake they grow to approx 5-6 foot but larger specimens have been known. Quiet a shy snake and unlike the Russian ratsnake does not appear to like being handled, it will usually flee. They are a very nervous species and will readily bite in my experience. There personality seems to be the exact opposite to that reported for russian Ratsnakes, they are not inquizative and friendly, but will tolerate moderate handling. Individuals raised from hatchlings can calm down considerably and make a wonderful vivarium subject but not a 'pet' in my experience.

Feeding wise they usually have a preference for several smaller food items rather than one large one. Will take adult mice, day old chicks and quail eggs in their diet in captivity. They have a fast metablism and eat rather alot.

A viv with some climbing branches, lots of hidey places in all areas of its cage and perhaps the addition of a moist hide. A large water bowl will also be used by them for bathing which they do seem to enjoy.

They usually need a brumation period of around 3 months at temps of 50-55F, often going off there food in late September time. Like most ratsnakes they will breed after they emerge from there winters rest and after the female has sloughed. mating can be quiet aggresive and the male can bite the female on the back of her neck to restrain her. Egg wise they lay between 6-14 which hatch in approx 45-54 days at 82F .. babies measure approx 12-14 inches and look almost identical to russian ratsnakes, although side by side there is a difference with anomala being somewhat lighter in colour overall. They keep there juvenile pattern into adulthood it is only the colour that changes, not all are as pretty as yours with all the yellow pigment, mine where dark green and quiet drab looking and I've seen others that were grey.

The Albino Russian Ratsnakes that you may see on sites on the internet are also anomala not schrencki

Sue x
_________________
The Ratsnake Foundation
http://www.ratsnakefoundation.org

I'm told I talk in shorthand and then smudge it !

[lovesnakes]

"Quiet a shy snake and unlike the Russian ratsnake does not appear to like being handled, it will usually flee. They are a very nervous species and will readily bite in my experience."

got that right got me a couple of times in the past, left me with an impressive set of teeth marks

thanks for the info, much appreciated
Andy
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best of luck in the new season

[Windy]

Your welcome ... They have very strong jaws and quiet a bite don't they

Sue x
_________________
The Ratsnake Foundation
http://www.ratsnakefoundation.org

I'm told I talk in shorthand and then smudge it !