How to Care For a Black Rat Snake

How to Care For a Black Rat Snake. Black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) are large snakes commonly found across Eastern North America. Black rat snakes are an adaptive species that live in a variety of habitats and feed on a wide range of animals in the wild. Black rat snakes have a solid black coloration and a distinct white chin and white underside. Mature black rat snakes grow between 3 to 6 feet long and require large enclosures when keeping the snakes as pets. Captive-bred black rat snakes are popular pets due to their passive demeanor and ease of care.

Things Needed

• Reptile aquarium
• Reptile substrate
• Snake house
• Large wooden branch
• Reptile heating pad
• Water Bowl
• Small mice
• Small plastic box with secure lid
• Bleach

Tank Setup

Step 1

Select an aquarium suitable for the black rat snake specimen you want to keep. Young hatchling black rat snakes can be kept in small 10-gallon aquariums. However, young snakes have a rapid growth rate and adults require large aquarium enclosures with at least 50- to 75-gallon capacity. Several varieties of aquariums with specialized locking tops are designed specifically for housing snakes and preventing their escape.

Step 2

Place the reptile heat mat under one side of the aquarium. Black rat snakes, like other reptiles, are exothermic and require an external heat source at all times in order to maintain a stable body temperature and develop healthily in captivity.

Step 3

Fill the base of the enclosure with a reptile-safe bedding. Several types of substrates are suitable for use with black rat snakes including aspen shavings, old newspapers and paper towels. Several types of commercial snake bedding mixtures are also readily available from pet supply stores.

Step 4

Install a reptile house in the aquarium on the opposite side of the tank from the heating pad. Rat snakes are shy snakes and will readily hide in the safety of a reptile house most of the day.

Step 5

Black a large branch in the enclosure and position the branch so that it is secure and will not shift under pressure. Black rat snakes are active climbers, and they will climb on the branch from time to time.

Step 6

Fill a water bowl with clean fresh water and place in the middle of the enclosure. Ensure clean, fresh water is always available for your black rat snake.

Black Rat Snake Care

Step 1

Introduce your black rat snake once the tank is properly set up and stable.

Step 2

Cover the cage with a blanket and allow the snake to acclimate to its new enclosure without disturbance for at least 24 hours.

Step 3

Change the water in the tank every two to three days or as needed to maintain a fresh supply for your snake.

Step 4

Feed black rat snakes two to three small mice every other week. Some weeks your snake may eat more mice than other weeks.

Step 5

Remove the snake and place it in a small plastic holding container with a secure lid, and thoroughly clean the tank and furniture as needed. You can spot clean snake feces with paper towels and mild, 10 percent bleach solution to disinfect the water bowl, house and branch as needed.

References

• Smithsonian National Zoological Park; Reptiles & Amphibians; Fact Sheets: Black Rat Snake
• Pet Co; Rat Snake; 2004
• Animal World; Rat Snake; Clarice Brough