Racers & Brown Snakes

[Muslim1]

I love Racers and Brown Snakes. For someone like me who has a background in venomous but am now interested in Colubrids, I have alot of questions.

Are Racers and Brown Snakes readily available captive bred, are they kept in captivity often?

Steve

[guidofatherof5]

I believe both are protected in NE and IA.

I don't know of anyone who breds Storeria dekayi because of very, very small neonates and I think Racers don't do well in captivity.

[Muslim1]

Thats kinda what I gathered. The neonates of dekayi I found were compared to a dime! Tiny little guys. Very cool though.

[guidofatherof5]

Thats kinda what I gathered. The neonates of dekayi I found were compared to a dime! Tiny little guys. Very cool though.

S. dekayi are wonderful snakes.

[SSSSnakes]

Brown snakes are normally not for sale, but Racers are available. You must check your states laws if you can keep them.

[infernalis]

I don't know of anyone who breds Storeria dekayi because of very, very small neonates .


3 litters in the past.... it's a lot of work

[guidofatherof5]

3 litters in the past.... it's a lot of work

I should have known. Congrats Wayne.

[slipknot711]

my dekay with her tiny little head lol. she stayed away from the garters for a while, now she is a cuddle bug with them. I loved her colors. YAY FOR BROWNY LOVERS!10640

[guidofatherof5]

S. dekayi might not be a Thamnophis but they have many like qualities.

[Muslim1]

I just came across a litter of 10 and they were scooped up immediately:-(

[guidofatherof5]

I just came across a litter of 10 and they were scooped up immediately:-(

Scooped up? I think finding 10 neonates in one place would be very unique and unusual.

[Muslim1]

It wasnt dekayi....a sub-species. None the less...I really wanted one. he

[guidofatherof5]

It wasnt dekayi....a sub-species. None the less...I really wanted one. he

If you are talking about Storeria occipitomaculata - Redbelly Snake, they are protected in NE.
They are not a subspecies of Storeria dekayi though.;)

[Muslim1]

Nope thats not the one I would remember that :-) . I would have to check Kingsnakes Classifieds again. If it still up. I think they were being sold as a subspecies.

Steven

[Muslim1]

Storeria dekayi victa

[guidofatherof5]

Storeria dekayi victa

Okay, you're talking about a classified ad for the snake, not seeing them locally in the wild. I misunderstood your post.

When you said "I came across a litter" I thought you meant came across as in out herping. My bad.

[EasternGirl]

I know Mike M used to work with venomous and he had or still has a racer. Mean buggers those racers...we get them around here. I had to chase one out of my yard years ago because it was going after my dog and then tried to come after me after I got it away from my dog. He was a big one too.

[the_edsta]

I know Mike M used to work with venomous and he had or still has a racer. Mean buggers those racers...we get them around here. I had to chase one out of my yard years ago because it was going after my dog and then tried to come after me after I got it away from my dog. He was a big one too.

Agreed. I have a pair that live in my yard. The hatchlings are cool as they carry a pattern and look almost like anery corns... but the adults are hard to catch and usually not very conducive to being held. Here is one from my yard (I feel like I've posted this before too). 10641

[SSSSnakes]

I have 3 Black Racers, that are super fast and very aggressive. When you learn how to handle them, you can handle any aggressive snake without getting bit. I use the Black Racers and Coachwhips when I train others for venomous handling. I have had students look at me when I tell them to taker off the gloves and handle the Racers, then I do it to show them it can be done if you have the skills. All you have to do is move in ways that makes the snake not feel threatened. I am training a young man now that has the abilities to be a excellent snake handler.

[Muslim1]

Yep. I think I was 17 I kept a Western Coachwhip and when I turned 18 I got a Gabby. I would put a post it on its cage (Coachwhip) every time it bit me that would say (you could be dead). Great training snake.

[SSSSnakes]

Yep. I think I was 17 I kept a Western Coachwhip and when I turned 18 I got a Gabby. I would put a post it on its cage (Coachwhip) every time it bit me that would say (you could be dead). Great training snake.

Anyone I train for venomous has to go months freely handling Racers, Coachwhips, Rock Python and my Water snake without getting bit, before they can even touch a venomous snake. I use the same thought process as you, if they get bit, they could be dead. If during that time they get bit, they have to start the training all over. The Water snake is the one that normally gets them. It is fast, aggressive and short, making it very hard to handle. If anyone is interested, they can see one of my students training. Go to my website Home - Snakeman's Snake Shows (http://www.jerrythesnakeman.com) and click on the "Snake Clips" tab, then watch Tyler's Venomous Training parts 1 &2. Part 3 will be added on 6/30 were he handles only venomous snakes.

[joeysgreen]

I understand the concept of using a fast and aggressive non-venomous snake but learned working with hots in a zoo setting. Protocols and standard operating procedures where the rule; Even such trivial things as hot's only being worked on after morning coffee break, and not near the end of the day when you may be in a rush can make all the difference between a career without incident and one that ends in the hospital.

Ian

[SSSSnakes]

I understand the concept of using a fast and aggressive non-venomous snake but learned working with hots in a zoo setting. Protocols and standard operating procedures where the rule; Even such trivial things as hot's only being worked on after morning coffee break, and not near the end of the day when you may be in a rush can make all the difference between a career without incident and one that ends in the hospital.

Ian

If you are tired or aggravated, then you should not work with HOTs. My rule is Patience, If you don't have patience then don't work with the HOTs at that time. When working with HOTs your mind must be on your work and you can't let anything distract you from what you are doing. This is particularly important when performing a show, you have to ignore the audience and keep you attention on the snake you are handling. My wife says I ignore thing very well. LOL

[Muslim1]

Masha allah! lol