A gray rat snake needs a lizard or tree frog as a diet. They also prefer frozen lizards and frogs. After a few feedings, the rat snake should take the mice or lizard.
What do rat snakes eat?
Rat snakes eat mice, rats, other rodents, and bird eggs. A rat snake eats rodents, birds, bird eggs, and even some species of reptiles. They are carnivores and tend to prefer rodent species over many other types of food.
How to take care of a gray rat snake?
Always feed your snake size-appropriate meals such as insects, mice, rats, frogs, and lizards. Gray Rat Snakes will swallow its food whole, and this is the best way to sneak in supplements or multivitamins in your snake’s diet.
Do baby rat snakes eat bird eggs?
If a baby rat snake comes across some small birds’ eggs, there’s a chance they may eat them, too. In the wild, where there is an adapt-or-die mentality, rat snakes are less fussy about their food and more likely to eat what they need to survive, in relation to their size.
How often should you feed baby rat snakes?
When it comes to feeding baby rat snakes, the rule of thumb is that they should not be given any pieces bigger than the widest part of their bodies. If you’re unsure, rather feed them plenty of smaller pieces than a few larger pieces. Baby snakes usually like to eat about twice a week.
What can I feed my rat snake?
A rat snake can eat the following foods:Rats.Mice.Squirrels.Voles.Birds.Bird eggs.Lizards.Frogs.
How often do you feed GREY rat snakes?
every seven to ten daysAdult Snakes Rat snakes shift from eating lizards and frogs while young to eating birds and rodents as they mature. Adult rat snakes should be fed larger items, less frequently than young snakes. A schedule of one meal every seven to ten days will keep your adult rat snake healthy.
What do baby GREY rat snakes eat?
Gray ratsnakes are carnivores and feed primarily on small mammals, birds, and bird eggs. Neonates and juveniles prefer to hunt frogs and lizards.
Can you keep a GREY rat snake as a pet?
The gray rat snake does well in captivity and is usually easy to keep. Its average lifespan in captivity is 15 years, with one individual reportedly living for 22 years. I've had good luck keeping trios of gray rat snakes in 55-gallon fish tanks, and single adults in 20-gallon long tanks.
Do rat snakes need water?
A water bowl large enough for your snake to fit in to allow a good soaking should be provided at all times. Rat snakes are hardy snakes and don't require much maintenance once their cage is set up. Cleaning their cage as needed and keeping their water bowl fresh will be your main duties besides feeding.
How long can rat snakes go without eating?
Can Snakes In the Wild Go Longer Without Eating Than Pet Snakes?Wild snake typesRegular feedingRat SnakeOnce in 7 to 10 daysWestern Diamondback RattlesnakeOnce in 2 to 3 weeksEastern Diamondback RattlesnakeOnce in 2 weeksWestern Diamondback RattlesnakeOnce in 2 to 3 weeks7 more rows
Do rat snakes eat worms?
Their diet depends on the species. Some eat warm-blooded prey (e.g., rodents, rabbits, birds), while others eat insects, amphibians (frogs or toads), eggs, other reptiles, fish, earthworms, or slugs. Snakes swallow their food whole.
Are GREY rat snakes aggressive?
But unlike venomous snakes which usually have a triangular head, rat snakes have a slender head that flows right into a long, slithering body. There is a yellow, king, a red-backed, red-tailed green, mountain and keeled rat snake just to name a few. These snakes are not aggressive.
How big do GREY rat snakes get?
Gray rat snakes are one of the longest snakes in North America, occasionally reaching lengths of 8 feet. When threatened, rat snakes will "rattle" their tail, fooling other animals into believing they are venomous.
How long do grey rat snakes live?
10-15 yearsLife Span. Gray rat snakes can live for 10-15 years, with a record of 25 years for a captive specimen.
What do I feed a baby rat snake?
1:543:02How to Feed a Baby Snake | Pet Snakes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd with the baby snakes. I would rather you feed a smaller bait. More times than a larger baitMoreAnd with the baby snakes. I would rather you feed a smaller bait. More times than a larger bait fewer times you'll find that your baby snake will eat 2 times a week and then as they get a little bit
What happens if a rat snake bites you?
Most snake bites can cause pain and swelling around the bite. Those that are venomous may also cause fever, a headache, convulsions, and numbness. However, these symptoms can also occur due to intense fear following the bite. Bites can cause an allergic reaction in some people, which may include anaphylaxis.
How often do snakes eat?
Smaller or younger snakes usually eat twice each week, while larger, more mature snakes typically eat once every week or two. Female snakes approaching breeding season can be fed more frequently. Your veterinarian can give you more specific advice about feeding based on your snake's individual requirements.
How long do GREY rat snakes live?
Though commonly found in abandoned buildings and barns, they also inhabit rocky areas, timbered hills, hardwood forests, river floodplains, swamp margins and residential areas. An adult can live up to 15 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity. Yes, I hear they make great pets.
Are rat snakes good for beginners?
The rat snake is one of the most popular types of pet snake in America. They are great for beginners due to their docile personality and simple care needs.
What happens if a rat snake bites you?
Most snake bites can cause pain and swelling around the bite. Those that are venomous may also cause fever, a headache, convulsions, and numbness. However, these symptoms can also occur due to intense fear following the bite. Bites can cause an allergic reaction in some people, which may include anaphylaxis.
How big can a gray rat snake get?
Some breeders say that there are captive species that can reach up to 8.10 feet in length. Unlike other species of snakes in the Pantherophis family, the gray rat snake comes with a unique juvenile design that disappears when it reaches adulthood.
Why do rat snakes stay in burrows?
Rat snakes are diurnal, which means these sleep during the night and remain active during the daytime. But it becomes nocturnal during the summertime to avoid the scorching heat. It will remain inside its burrow until the climate is cooler before it starts to hunt.
How to get gray rat snakes to drink water?
Gray Rat Snakes need fresh water to drink. Place water in bowls made of ceramic or clay pots. The snake will just lick water from the bowl anytime it wants to drink. You must change the water inside this bowl regularly, especially if you have more snakes in your tank.
What is the difference between a gray and black rat snake?
The gray rat snake is related to several subspecies; each of these has different markings, size, and geographic range. The black rat snake or Eastern rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) is totally black except for a speck of white on its chin.
What is a juvenile rat snake?
The juvenile mark is a pattern of dark-colored dorsal markings that are separated by around four or more grayscales.
Why do barns have gray rat snakes?
Because of the gray rat snake’s impressive ability to hunt for mice and rats, this snake is a welcome guest in barns where food is stored and on farms as well. This snake may be used to control rodent populations.
How to keep snakes healthy?
To prevent illness, your snake’s tank should have optimal temperature and hydration. Invest in a digital thermometer and hygrometer to monitor the temperature and humidity inside the tank. You can help by misting the tank with water. You can place a bowl of water inside the tank to help enhance humidity.
What do rat snakes eat?
As their name suggests, rat snakes feed on all sorts of rodents, starting with mice, rats, moles and hamsters . Rat snakes are known to be the best rodent predator, being a wonderful way to keep those rodents numbers down, especially those who have become quite a pest problem in farms.
How many mice do rat snakes eat?
A medium-sized rat snake can eat up to 9 pounds of rodents per year (that’s around 200 mice!) Both captive and wild rat snakes consume all types of mice. However, the major difference is that pet snakes should always be fed frozen mice. On a side note, hatchlings prefer baby mouse or pinkies (for pet reptiles).
How do rat snakes kill their prey?
Rat snakes kill their prey by constriction, meaning they coil around their chosen meal and squeeze them to death so they can swallow them whole afterwards; they do this thanks to their ligament-connected mandible that allows them to rotate and open wider than any other animal.
How long can a snake survive without food?
Ball pythons, rat snakes and diamondback rattlesnakes lower their metabolism rate up to 70% in order to survive weeks, months and even years without any food at all.
What color are rat snakes?
Yellow Rat snakes have a black tongue and a skin color that varies from North to South. Northern species have a greener color; central ones go from olive to orange; and the southern species are bright yellow. Hatchlings are dark-colored, but their skin tones also get lighter depending on their location.
What are the black and yellow snakes called?
Wild black, grey, yellow and Texas rat snakes are commonly found living amongst barns, and while they are most likely out for rodents, people call them chicken snakes; but this nickname is actually given because they usually hang around chicken coops searching for chicken eggs- which they love to eat.
What kind of frogs do snakes catch?
The yellow rat snake is famous for her fondness for the Cuban tree frog, a green-grayish kind of frog that is considered an invasive pest in Florida.
How many eggs do gray ratsnakes lay?
5-27 eggs. The breeding season of Gray ratsnakes usually lasts from April to July and females lay 5 to 27 eggs around mid-summer. Eggs are laid in rotting logs, stumps or under rocks. Hatchlings usually emerge in September.
How do gray ratsnakes defend themselves?
Gray ratsnakes will defend themselves by raising their head and bluffing a strike. If handled, they will musk a victim by releasing the foul-smelling musk of their cloaca and will bite if necessary.
Why are gray ratsnakes endangered?
The main threats to Gray ratsnakes include habitat destruction due to agricultural development and urbanization. These snakes are also often killed because of fear. Road mortality is another major reason for population decline.
How big are gray ratsnakes?
LENGTH. 99-183 cm. Gray ratsnakes are large nonvenomous snakes native to North America. In the southern part of their range these snakes retain the juvenile pattern of dark elongate dorsal blotches separated by four, or more, pale gray body scales, a light gray crown with dark striping that forms an anteriorly facing spearpoint, ...
What are gray rats?
Gray ratsnakes are mainly terrestrial but they are also agile climbers. They are active during the day and may become nocturnal in summer. Gray ratsnakes are generally solitary creatures but may hibernate communally usually in rocky outcrops or underground. When startled, these snakes stop and remain motionless with their body held in a series of wave-like kinks. They will also rattle their tail against whatever it is lying on, making an audible buzzing sound. Gray ratsnakes will defend themselves by raising their head and bluffing a strike. If handled, they will musk a victim by releasing the foul-smelling musk of their cloaca and will bite if necessary. However, Gray ratsnakes are less likely to bite than other members of its genus.
Where do gray ratsnakes live?
Gray ratsnakes are found in the eastern and central United States. They occur relatively continuously throughout the major part of the eastern half of the United States, along the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains, from southwestern New England to the Gulf of Mexico, westward to the Mississippi River, and northward from northern Louisiana to southwestern Wisconsin. In Canada, these snakes occur in two disjunct regions of southern Ontario: the Carolinian forest region along the north shore of Lake Erie in the southwest, and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region in the southeast. Gray ratsnakes live in many types of hardwood forests and cypress stands, along tree-lined streams and fields, and even around barns and sheds in close proximity to people.
Where do snakes live in Canada?
In Canada, these snakes occur in two disjunct regions of southern Ontario: the Carolinian forest region along the north shore of Lake Erie in the southwest, and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region in the southeast.
Temperament
Rat Snakes are similar to Corn Snakes and tend to have very non - aggressive personalities. They're generally very calm when being handled but can emit a musky odor when stressed.
Habitat & Temperature
Ambient temperature of 75 - 85 degrees F. Basking area temperature of 90 degrees F.
Where To Purchase?
Rat Snakes can be purchased at any reputable online retailer or at your local reptile retail location.
Feeder Sizing
Rat Snakes can generally eat 1 - 1.5x the widest part of there body. However if your feeding 1.5x it's girth it's recommended that you make your feedings less frequent.
Feeding Frozen Vs Feeding Live
Feeding a Rat Snake live rodents can be dangerous and is not recommended. Captive bred snakes specifically don't gain the instincts that they normally do in the wild and are much more susceptible to injury. If you leave live rodents in an enclosure with a snake that isn't hungry it may even get eaten by the rodents themselves.
What do Baby Rat Snakes Eat?
In North America alone, there are over 30 different species of rat snakes and an uncountable number of subspecies, which vary in color and size depending on the region they live in.
Baby Rat Snakes Food Habit in Wild
The baby rat snake is a nocturnal reptile. It inhabits forests, fields, agricultural land with plenty of cover like shrubs, rocks, debris piles, etc. In other words, rat snakes usually reside in areas with plenty of vegetation.
What to Feed Pet Baby Snakes?
This is not a good beginner snake for people that want an easy snake to take care of. These snakes are high maintenance because of their feeding requirements and their size once they reach adulthood.
