Texas Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus)

Texas Ratsnake Pantherophis obsoletus
Name	Texas Ratsnake
Name Lat.	Pantherophis obsoletus
Synonym	Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri
Family	Colubrids
Family lat.	Colubridae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	USA
Habitat	Forests, shrubland
Diet	Rodents
Humidity	50-80 %
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Individual, pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	90-150 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	150 x 70 x 130 cm
US Units
Size	35"-60"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	60" x 30" x 50"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the predominantly crepuscular Texas ground snake is the south of the USA from Texas to Mississippi. There, the good climbers live in sparse forests, swamps, grasslands and farmlands, but also as cultural successors near settlements.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

1-2 animals

1KL x 0,5KL x 1KL (L x W x H)

Body length (KL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the floor space should be increased by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 150 x W 70 x H 130 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with roots, climbing branches, cork tubes and bamboo sticks (hiding places and privacy screen) with a moisture-retaining substrate, e.g. of sand-humus mixture with peat and foliage, as well as an easy-to-clean water basin as drinking vessel. Half of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist (no waterlogging), for which e.g. plates of sphagnum moss are well suited. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity). A rain or mist system is ideal

Temp. day: 22-28 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 50-80

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes supplemented with spotlights are ideal.

Diet

The food supply consists of live small rodents (e.g. mice, rats) as well as chicks or small pigeons according to their size. After successful acclimatization often succeeds the switch to dead food animals (commercial frozen food). Juveniles should be offered food every 3-5 days, adults every 7-14 days, with occasional periods of fasting (e.g., skipping a feeding). If the snake is disturbed after feeding, this may result in vomiting of the prey. It is better to offer several small feeders, rather than one large one. If it does not eat for a long period of time, both the timing and the food should be varied. It is important to fortify the food animals with vitamins and minerals. Since the snake could be injured by live rodents, it should not be left unattended with them.

Reproduction and breeding

Probing by the veterinarian is the only reliable method of sex determination.

The female lays her eggs (12-20 pieces) in the moist, about 5 cm deep substrate and does not engage in brood care. The incubation period is 60-80 days at a temperature of 28 °C. The young are 25-30 cm in size and can be fed with nest young mice.

Important

They come in several natural and farmed color variations. They are well tolerated among themselves, but should be separated when feeding so as not to injure each other when they go to the food animal. When threatened, they vibrate their tails and purposefully release strong-smelling feces. Generally, they are considered to be biting

To prevent stereotypies, the terrarium should be changed occasionally. Often a foreign object such as a root or similar is sufficient.

A winter rest of 3-5 months at a temperature of 7-12 °C accompanied by a break in feeding is recommended.Always have snake hooks and protective gloves ready when handling.The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten -  Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF