Let's chat about the Beauty snakes....

Humble308 · 11-19-16, 10:19 AM

Hey guys/gals,

Looking if I can rally some opinions on the different kinds of beauty snakes. I'm considering adding a pair to my collection perhaps next month if I can find any at the show.

Through some research I'm leaning towards the Chinese beauty as they stay a bit smaller and have some cool paint jobs already out there, like that jaw dropping calico someone has on here

.

Next I was considering the VBB simply I've handled an old 12 year old female who was just a pussycat. But they do get fairly long.

I know Mink, you just got some ridleyi and those are gorgeous too.

Anyways guys, what yalls opinions on these snakes, they seem pretty unique ratsnakes. I'd be interested to hear any nuances between the species All the best

**Minkness** · 11-19-16, 11:27 AM

Hey! I will say that I really like my ridleyi. I find them to be the prettiest of the beauties which is why I went for them over the others. Their personalities haven't really had time to shine through yet so all I have to go off of is nervous hatchling behavior, though the yearling male I have isn't too bad. He feeds easily enough but is shy so I have to leave his mouse hopper in over night. Also, ridleyi don't get very long like the VBBs do. They move around super cool and S up for everything. When handling the male (female is still settling in as she's only a few months old and not a solid feeder yet), he seems fairly relaxed and inquisitive, but he still hides 99% of the time in his tub. They also 'gape' which is their threat display, but don't seem to bite much. So far I only got tagged in unboxing day when they were delivered, and I'm sure it was because they got jostled around and were just not in the best of moods. Since then though, no strikes, just gapes.

That all being said, I like the idea of also adding a pair of chinese beauties (possibly from Riddick when they have babies) and 1 VBB depending on how much space I have left after a few other additions.

Hope this was helpful! =)

SWDK · 11-19-16, 12:35 PM

Beauty snakes of any kind are good looking and neat snakes. I have a female VBB and a male Chinese. The VBB is what originally got my attention and made me look into beauty snakes.

My VBB is a superb eater, she's always out cruising her enclosure or perched on her branches. She's been growing very quickly compared to any of my other snakes. She's at least 5' in length and not a year old yet. She does have a pretty good attitude most of the time, but has bitten me a few times. She will occasionally musk and do her tail rattling.

The albino Chinese is a great snake as well. I got him as a tiny hatchling a few months ago. He's handled very well from day 1 and has never shown any aggression or defensive behaviors. It too is a very solid feeder and never refuses a meal. He's easily doubled his size since I've got him and his color is getting brighter. He doesn't seem to be nearly as active as my VBB, but that could be due to his smaller size. I'm hoping he gets out and about once he's a bit older.

I don't think you'd be disappointed with choosing a beauty snake of any kind. I'd recommend keeping them. Good luck with your search for the right snake. Update us when you get your hands on one or two.

sattva · 11-19-16, 07:41 PM

Are the Chinese beauty snakes smaller then the Taiwanese Beauty Snake? My Fred is only about 6 1/2 feet... Last time he shed I just sat there with him in a state of aw over his color... He looked like a bronze/gold color... He was so florescent he glowed... I read an article that they really are not good for holding; more for observation, but I have to say, Fred settles right down for me... I don't think you will be disappointed...

sattva · 11-19-16, 08:16 PM

These guys look cool...
Kingsnake.com Classifieds: Vietnam Mandarin Rat Snake Price: $274.99 - $284.99

SWDK · 11-19-16, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sattva

Are the Chinese beauty snakes smaller then the Taiwanese Beauty Snake? My Fred is only about 6 1/2 feet... Last time he shed I just sat there with him in a state of aw over his color... He looked like a bronze/gold color... He was so florescent he glowed... I read an article that they really are not good for holding; more for observation, but I have to say, Fred settles right down for me... I don't think you will be disappointed...

The Chinese will usually be a bit smaller than the Taiwanese from what I've read. I don't have any personal experience with adults of either species.

Here is a link to a good website for researching ratsnakes.
Asian Ratsnake species & Information - Ratsnake Information

sattva · 11-19-16, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWDK

The Chinese will usually be a bit smaller than the Taiwanese from what I've read. I don't have any personal experience with adults of either species.

Here is a link to a good website for researching ratsnakes.
Asian Ratsnake species & Information - Ratsnake Information

Wow! I had no idea there were so many ratsnakes... I have been wanting a Mandarin ratsnake every since I saw one... Now that I know I could get a bigger one with a Vietnam specimen, I want one more then ever...

riddick07 · 11-19-16, 10:27 PM

What calico no idea....Larry had some of his calicos available on kingsnake recently. Almost bought a male from him for my girl but I don't need a male hypocalico yet since her first pairing and possibly second is already decided.

I like the Chinese beauty's (obviously!). Overall they do seem a little flighty but still able to be handled fairly easily. My worst one is the platinum male he is a freak. If you open his cage he freezes and when you touch him he bolts. He will bite eventually but usually he just tries to fling himself away from me. The platinum female is similar but she will eventually calm down and let me handle her. The hypocalico and het albino are active at first but settle down and they have never smiled at me with the gaping mouth like the platinums. My albino male is like a puppy dog according to everyone that meets him. Easy going, likes to hide in your boot while you are wearing it, and climb to your head and rest there.

I have 3 adults now. Albino male is 6ft, het girl is maybe 5ft and same for the platinum male. Read once albino males seem to get bigger but have no idea if that's true or not. I have noticed in the two cages I've put humid hides in they will poop in the hides and no where else. Which is easy to clean but expensive for replacing the moss all the time!

If you are interested in an albino male I still have one but obviously won't ship until spring. Just posted them for sale locally...because I'm strange and was enjoying watching them grow then realized it was cold outside and couldn't ship anymore

Mink you have I'm guessing 2 years for any platinums from me

Though remember you saying you like the normals a lot! I want a Ridleyi pair eventually...

Dave of course the albino is great! My choice for the clutch is in shed I'm very curious how he is going to look this time.

**Minkness** · 11-19-16, 10:36 PM

I will have a ridleyi clutch in about 2-3 years.

And yes, I was rather fond of your normals but also the platinums. Not for breeding, just for looking lol.

Pretty happy with my chosen breeders right now. Ridleyi pair, boa pair, BP trio. Still want/need an IJ jungle jag male to pair with my IJ female and also looking forward to some garters.

=)

Humble308 · 11-21-16, 10:08 AM

Thanks y'all for all the input. I think the Chinese beauty is what I'm after. Riddick I'll definitely get in touch with you after the show in December, I saw your hatchling thread awhile back and that was primarily what sparked my interest.

Do you think your adults would be comfortable in a T8 or do they need more height. My gophers will need their adult enclosures within the next year so I've considering ordering 3-4 t8s. Thanks a bunch

Klinger · 11-21-16, 01:20 PM

My VBB is almost 2.5 years old, and close to nine feet by now. Still working on the larger tank, gotta finish that stinking thing soon.

Anyways, It seems they never "calm down", as mine does not really enjoy being handled, only tolerates it. It is always looking for a chance to get away, and breathes heavily when handled, but has only musked once(very long ago) and took one false strike at my face. The trick is to pick them up as quickly as possible, and let them adjust. If you struggle to get them out, the will build up a defensive attitude(at least mine does). Not sure how I'm going to take him out of the large enclosure calmly....

They are great snakes, and very inquisitive. Also very hungry. Have fun with whatever you pick up, and post pics!!!!

SWDK · 11-21-16, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinger

My VBB is almost 2.5 years old, and close to nine feet by now. Still working on the larger tank, gotta finish that stinking thing soon.

Anyways, It seems they never "calm down", as mine does not really enjoy being handled, only tolerates it. It is always looking for a chance to get away, and breathes heavily when handled, but has only musked once(very long ago) and took one false strike at my face. The trick is to pick them up as quickly as possible, and let them adjust. If you struggle to get them out, the will build up a defensive attitude(at least mine does). Not sure how I'm going to take him out of the large enclosure calmly....

They are great snakes, and very inquisitive. Also very hungry. Have fun with whatever you pick up, and post pics!!!!

Wow Klinger...getting some good length for sure. Do you have any updated pics? Last one I remember was from the flea market when it was crawling out of your sleeves.

Klinger · 11-21-16, 07:23 PM

Here is a photo I just took with my low quality phone, He shed maybe two days ago while I was out of town. I may take him out later tonight to remove the skin and just say hello to him. When he sits coiled like this is the best time to lift him out, it is easiest on both of us.

SWDK · 11-21-16, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinger

Here is a photo I just took with my low quality phone, He shed maybe two days ago while I was out of town. I may take him out later tonight to remove the skin and just say hello to him. When he sits coiled like this is the best time to lift him out, it is easiest on both of us.

Looking good Klinger! Thanks for posting up a quick pic.

sattva · 11-21-16, 07:52 PM

Wow... That's why they call them Beauty snakes!