Texas Rat Snake: Species Profile, Care, and Breeding Guide

The Texas rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus lindheimeri) is a subspecies of the black rat snake, a nonvenomous colubrid. It is found in the United States, primarily within the state of Texas, but its range extends into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It is one of the largest snakes in North America, capable of attaining lengths of 4-5 ft. It is also one of the most variable snakes in color and pattern, ranging from yellow or tan to glossy black, with brown to olive-green blotches or stripes.

Geographic Range and Habitat

The Texas rat snake has a wide range of habitats, from swamps to forests to grasslands, even in urban areas. It prefers areas with established trees that can provide shelter and food sources, such as bird nests and rodents. It is semi-arboreal, meaning it can climb trees with ease, using its strong body and a prehensile tail. It can also swim well and will cross water bodies if necessary.

The Texas rat snake’s range overlaps with other subspecies of the black rat snake, such as the western rat snake (P. o. obsoletus) and the eastern rat snake (P. o. alleghaniensis). These subspecies intergrade with each other, meaning they can hybridize and produce offspring with intermediate characteristics. This makes it difficult to distinguish them based on appearance alone. 

One way to tell them apart is by their head color: the Texas rat snake has a solid gray head, while the western rat snake has a black head with white markings, and the eastern rat snake has a black head with yellow markings.

Diet and Behavior

The Texas rat snake has a voracious appetite, consuming large numbers of rodents and birds and sometimes lizards, soft-bodied insects, and frogs. It subdues its prey by constriction, wrapping its coils around the animal and squeezing until it suffocates. It then swallows it whole, using its flexible jaws and teeth to manipulate the food into its mouth.

The Texas rat snake is mostly active at night or during dawn and dusk when it hunts for food or basks in the sun to regulate its body temperature. During the day, it hides under rocks, logs, leaf litter, hollow trees, or burrows. Depending on the local climate, it may also hibernate during winter.

The Texas rat snake is relatively timid for such a large snake, but it can be defensive when threatened or disturbed. It may display various behaviors to deter predators or intruders, such as hissing, coiling, flattening its head and neck, striking with an open mouth, or emitting a foul-smelling musk from its cloaca. 

One of its most distinctive behaviors is tail vibrating: rapidly whipping the end of its tail back and forth against anything nearby to create a rattling sound. This may mimic the sound of a rattlesnake’s rattle and scare off potential enemies. However, unlike rattlesnakes, the Texas rat snake does not have any dangerous venom or fangs.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The Texas rat snake breeds in the spring or early summer after emerging from hibernation. The males locate the females by following their scent trails and compete with each other for mating opportunities. The females lay 5-30 eggs in a moist and warm location, such as under a rotting log or in a compost pile. Depending on the temperature, the eggs hatch after 65-70 days of incubation. The hatchlings are about 10-16 inches long and have brighter colors than the adults. They are independent from birth and must fend for themselves. They reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age and can live up to 20 years in captivity.

Color Variations and Pet Potential

The Texas rat snake is one of the most popular snakes in the pet trade due to its large size, attractive appearance, docile temperament, easy care requirements, and diverse color variations. Some of these color variations are naturally occurring mutations that affect the amount or distribution of pigment in the snake’s skin cells; others are the product of selective breeding between different subspecies or morphs of rat snakes.

Some of the most common color morphs of the Texas rat snake are:

• Albino: lacks melanin (black pigment), resulting in a yellow or white body with red eyes
• High orange: has reduced melanin (black pigment), resulting in a bright orange body with yellow blotches
• Leucistic: lacks all pigments except melanin (black pigment), resulting in a white body with black eyes.
• Anerythristic: lacks erythrin (red pigment), resulting in a gray body with black blotches.
• Hypomelanistic: has reduced melanin (black pigment), resulting in a light brown body with yellow blotches.
• Axanthic: lacks xanthin (yellow pigment), resulting in a gray body with black blotches.

These color morphs can be combined with each other or with other traits, such as patternless (lacks blotches) or striped (has stripes instead of blotches), to create more unique combinations.

How to Care for a Pet Texas Rat Snake

The Texas rat snake can make a good pet for experienced reptile keepers who can provide it with adequate space, heating, lighting, humidity, substrate, hiding places, a water bowl, and food. Here are some basic guidelines on how to care for a pet Texas rat snake:

Housing

Choose a plastic or glass enclosure that is at least as long as your snake. For example, a 4-foot snake needs a 4-foot-long enclosure. The enclosure should have a secure lid to prevent escapes and ventilation holes to allow air circulation. The enclosure should also have at least one hide box where the snake can retreat and feel safe.

You can use commercial hide boxes or make your own from cardboard boxes, flower pots, or PVC pipes. The hide box should be large enough for the snake to fit inside comfortably but not too spacious. You can also add some branches, plants, or other decorations to create more hiding and climbing opportunities for your snake.

Substrate

Use a substrate that is absorbent, easy to clean, and non-toxic for your snake. Some good options are aspen shavings, paper towels, newspaper, or coconut fiber. Avoid dusty, sharp substrates that can cause impaction if ingested, such as sand, gravel, pine, or cedar. The substrate should be at least 2 inches deep and cover the entire floor of the enclosure. Spot-clean the substrate daily and replace it completely every month or whenever it becomes dirty or smelly.

Heating

Provide a temperature gradient in the enclosure by using a heat lamp or a ceramic heat emitter on one side. The warm side should have a temperature of 80-85°F, while the cool side should have a temperature of 75-80°F. Use a thermostat to regulate the heat source and prevent overheating. You can also use an under-tank heater or a heat mat to provide belly heat for your snake, but make sure it does not get too hot and burn it.

Use thermometers to monitor the temperature on both sides of the enclosure and adjust accordingly. Provide a 12-hour light cycle by turning the heat lamp on during the day and off at night. You can also use a timer to automate this process.

Humidity

Maintain a humidity level of 40-60% in the enclosure by using a hygrometer to measure it. You can increase the humidity by misting the enclosure with water daily or using a humidifier or fogger. You can also provide a humid hide box filled with moist sphagnum moss or coconut fiber where your snake can go when it needs more humidity, especially during shedding. Avoid letting the enclosure get too wet or damp, as this can cause mold growth or respiratory infections for your snake.

Water

Provide a water bowl large enough for your snake to soak its entire body if desired. The water bowl should be shallow enough for your snake to get in and out easily and not drown. Place the water bowl on the cool side of the enclosure to prevent evaporation and overheating. Change the water daily and scrub the bowl with a reptile-safe disinfectant weekly or whenever it becomes soiled.

Food

Feed your Texas rat snake on frozen-thawed mice or rats that are as wide as the broadest part of your snake’s body. Do not feed live prey; they can injure or kill your snake. Thaw the prey in warm water until it reaches room temperature and offer it to your snake with tongs or tweezers once a week for adults or twice a week for juveniles. Do not handle your snake before or after feeding, as this can cause stress or regurgitation. If your snake refuses to eat, try offering a different size or color of prey, changing the time of day or location of feeding, or scenting the prey with chicken broth or tuna juice.

Handling and Temperament

The Texas rat snake is generally docile and tolerant of handling, but it may be shy or defensive when first introduced to captivity or when stressed or frightened. It may display various behaviors to deter you from handling it, such as hissing, coiling, striking, tail vibrating, or musking. Do not be alarmed by these behaviors; they are natural responses and do not indicate aggression or venom.

To handle your Texas rat snake safely and comfortably, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands before and after handling your snake to prevent spreading germs or smells.
• Avoid handling your snake when it is shedding, digesting food, sick, injured, gravid (pregnant), or breeding.
• Approach your snake slowly and calmly from the side and gently lift it from the middle of its body with both hands.
• Support its weight with your hands and arms and let it move freely without squeezing or restraining it.
• Avoid touching its head or tail, as this may startle or annoy it.
• Keep your snake away from your face and other people or pets, as this may stress it out.
• Limit handling sessions to 10-15 minutes at most, and return your snake to its enclosure when it shows signs of stress, such as rapid breathing, twitching, biting, or musking.

Breeding

The Texas rat snake can be bred in captivity by experienced reptile keepers who have the proper equipment and knowledge. Here are some basic steps on how to breed Texas rat snakes:

Sexing

Before breeding, you need to make sure that you have a male and a female Texas rat snake. You can sex them by examining their tails: males have longer and thicker tails than females, and their cloacal opening is farther from the base of the tail. You can also use a probe or a pop method to check for the presence or absence of hemipenes (male reproductive organs) inside the cloaca. However, these methods require skill and care to avoid injuring the snake, so it is best to consult a veterinarian or an expert breeder for assistance.

Housing

You can house your breeding pair together in a large enclosure (at least 6 feet long) with multiple hides, branches, plants, and a water bowl. Make sure that the enclosure has a secure lid and ventilation holes. You can also house them separately and introduce them only during the breeding season, which may reduce their chances of successful mating.

Cooling

To stimulate breeding, you need to mimic the natural seasonal cycle of your snakes by lowering the temperature and photoperiod (day length) of their enclosure. This is called cooling or brumation, and it simulates winter hibernation for your snakes. To do this, gradually reduce the temperature of the enclosure from 80-85°F to 55-65°F over a period of 2-4 weeks.

You can use a thermostat to regulate the heat source and a thermometer to monitor the temperature. You also need to reduce the light cycle from 12 hours to 8 hours per day. You can use a timer to automate this process. Stop feeding your snakes and always provide them with fresh water during this period. Keep them in this cool and dark condition for 2-4 months, depending on your local climate.

Warming

After cooling, you need to reverse the process by gradually increasing the enclosure’s temperature and photoperiod over 2-4 weeks. This is called warming or emergence, and it simulates spring awakening for your snakes. To do this, increase the temperature of the enclosure from 55-65°F to 80-85°F and increase the light cycle from 8 hours to 12 hours per day. You can use a thermostat, a thermometer, and a timer to control and monitor these factors. During this period, resume feeding your snakes and always provide them with fresh water.

Mating

After warming, your snakes should be ready to mate. The females will release pheromones that attract the males, who will follow their scent trails and compete with each other for mating opportunities. The males will approach the females and wrap their tails around them, while their cloacal openings touch each other. This is where the male inserts his hemipenes into the female’s cloaca and transfers his sperm.

Depending on the pair, this mating session can last for hours or minutes. The pair may mate multiple times during the breeding season, which lasts from March to May. You can observe your snakes for signs of mating, such as tail wrapping, coiling, twitching, or biting.

Nesting

After mating, the female will develop eggs inside her body for about 2 months. She will need more food and water to support her growing offspring during this time. She will also look for a suitable nesting site where she can lay her eggs. You can provide her with a nesting box filled with moist vermiculite, peat moss, or coconut fiber, where she can dig a hole and deposit her eggs. The nesting box should be large enough for her to fit inside comfortably and have a lid with ventilation holes. You can place the nesting box inside the enclosure or in a separate container.

Incubation

After laying her eggs, the female will abandon them and have no further parental care. You can remove the eggs from the nesting box and place them in an incubator for artificial incubation. The incubator should have a temperature of 80-85°F and a humidity of 80-90%. You can use a thermostat and a hygrometer to control and monitor these factors. You should also check the eggs regularly for signs of mold or fungus and remove any infected ones. Depending on the temperature, the eggs will hatch after 65-70 days of incubation.

Hatching

When the eggs are ready to hatch, you will notice that they become dimpled or collapsed. The hatchlings will use their egg tooth (a small projection on their snout) to cut through the eggshell and emerge from their eggs. They will be about 10-16 inches long and have brighter colors than the adults. After hatching, they will shed their skin for the first time within a few days. They are independent from birth and must fend for themselves.

Common Health Problems of Texas Rat Snakes

The Texas rat snake is generally hardy and healthy but may suffer from some common health problems affecting most reptiles. These include:

• Parasites: Internal parasites such as worms or protozoa can infect your snake through contaminated food, water, or substrate. External parasites such as mites or ticks can attach to your snake’s skin and suck its blood. Parasites can cause weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, dehydration, anemia, or skin infections. To prevent parasites, keep your snake’s enclosure clean and sanitary, quarantine new snakes before introducing them to your collection, and treat any infected snakes with appropriate medications prescribed by a veterinarian.

• Respiratory infections: Bacterial or viral infections can affect your snake’s respiratory system and cause symptoms such as wheezing, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, mouth breathing, or open-mouthed gaping. Respiratory infections can be caused by poor hygiene, low humidity, low temperature, stress, or injury. To prevent respiratory infections, maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels in your snake’s enclosure, avoid overcrowding or overhandling your snake, and seek veterinary attention if you notice any signs of illness.

• Scale rot: Fungal or bacterial infections can cause your snake’s scales to become discolored, inflamed, blistered, or ulcerated. Scale rot can be caused by dirty or wet substrate, low ventilation, high humidity, or injury. To prevent scale rot, keep your snake’s substrate dry and clean, provide adequate air circulation in the enclosure, and treat any wounds with antiseptic solutions.

• Mouth rot: Bacterial infections can cause your snake’s mouth to become inflamed, swollen, red, or pus-filled. Mouth rot can be caused by poor hygiene, low immunity, trauma, or parasites. To prevent mouth rot, keep your snake’s enclosure and water bowl clean and fresh, feed your snake healthy and appropriate prey items, and check your snake’s mouth regularly for any signs of infection.

• Inclusion body disease: Viral infections can cause your snake to develop neurological problems such as tremors, seizures, head tilt, stargazing, or paralysis. Inclusion body disease can be fatal and has no cure. It can be transmitted through direct contact with infected snakes or contaminated objects. To prevent inclusion body disease, isolate any sick snakes from your collection, disinfect your snake’s enclosure and equipment regularly, and avoid buying or breeding snakes from unknown or unreliable sources.

Conservation Status of Texas Rat Snakes

The Texas rat snake is not listed as endangered or threatened by any conservation organization. It is considered common and widespread throughout its range and adapts well to human-modified habitats. However, it may face some threats from habitat loss or fragmentation due to urbanization or agriculture; road mortality due to vehicle collisions; predation by domestic cats or dogs; persecution by humans who fear or dislike snakes; or collection for the pet trade or food market.

The Texas rat snake is protected by law in some states and counties within its range and cannot be killed or captured without a permit. For example, without a valid reason, it is illegal to harm or possess a Texas rat snake in Collin County, Texas.

The Texas rat snake plays an important role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent and bird populations and providing food for larger predators. It also contributes to the genetic diversity of the black rat snake complex and the reptile community in general. Therefore, conserving and respecting this snake and its habitat is important. You can help by educating yourself and others about the benefits and beauty of snakes, supporting conservation efforts and organizations, and reporting any illegal or unethical activities involving snakes to the authorities.

More Snake Species

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• Corn Snake
• Boa Constrictor

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