S’N’A Introducing Series:
Episode: 47
Trans Pecos Rat Snake
This is a criminally underrated Rat Snake from South Western USA and Northern Central Mexico. Arguably this is actually one of the most attractive of the New World Rat Snakes.
Elegant in build yet deceptively strong this snake is lighter built than the North American Rat Snakes of genus Pantherophis. The head is more defined and the eyes larger. Because of the exposed regions in which they originate this snake is more specialised for nocturnal activity.
This species belongs to the genus Bogertophis which it shares with the Baja California Rat Snake (Bogertophis rosaliae).
Bogertophis was named in honour of Charles Mitchill Bogert an American herpetologist.
The binomial name of the species is Bogertophis subocularis. The species name is in reference to the presence of scales between the ocular scales around the eyes and the labial scales of the lips. These small scales are called suboculars, hence subocularis.
First described in 1901 by Arthur Brown. Dowling and Price were the first to place the two species in Bogertophis in 1988.
Distribution of the Trans Pecos Rat Snake begins in Southern New Mexico and South Western Texas and tracks south through Chihuahua to Coahuila, Durango and Nuevo Leon. The distribution is remarkably similar to the Grey Banded King Snake covered in the last episode.
They occupy the Chihuahua desert primarily found between the Sierra Madre Orientalis to the East and Sierra Madre Occidentalis to the West.
The region is deeply variable in altitude, the species is listing as having an elevation range of between 450-1600metres above sea level. Regardless of this; the searing heat during the day will be shunned by the species which will seek shelter and come out at night.
This behaviour may oscillate depending upon temperatures throughout the year. In Spring and Autumn the species may be more crepuscular in habit (dawn and dusk) and in winter diurnal (if active at all depending upon locality).
The late onset of winter in the Chihuahua region result in Brumation between December to May. This results in delays all round with breeding season not hitting full swing until June or July and egg-laying in August to September. After a 2 month incubation hatching occurs from October to November. It is therefore natural for relatively new born babies to have to seek shelter for the winter period having consumed perilously few meals. This speaks to the resilience we so closely associate with Rat Snakes of the Americas.
In captivity this species is woefully under-represented particularly in the UK. The advent of further colour mutations on top of the naturally occurring morph of ‘blonde phase’ of which this is an example has helped bolster interest. The silver phase is a particular favourite.
In normal form the species is saddled with H shaped long blotches. The blonde phase however has a greater intensity of yellow pigment and diamond shaped markings which are markedly lighter than the tan saddles of the normal phase.
These snakes for the most part are a pleasure to keep in captivity. They present few real issues. The ones that occur are generally centred around starting babies off feeding. As discussed their year runs somewhat behind what we would consider as standard for the North American Rat Snakes.
Some keepers find that brumating the babies help kick them in feeding the following spring. This can then given the impression of being very small for their age when they do become available. Effectively being from the season previous but having slept essentially on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. This is a CB2018 animal but you would be forgiven for thinking it was a cb19 because of this very reason.
This is a shyer snake than its Northern cousins and whilst for the most part it is tame occasionally bouts of striking or tail rattling with youngsters may occur. This is never out of aggression but simply fear. This snake will begin to trust you and calm down but will never be a snake you would handle as incessantly as a Corn or Grey Rat snake for example. The likelihood is you could put them off their food with over handling.
Because of this shy nature they seem to benefit from quiet surroundings for raising them and this is one of the few times you will hear me say that tub systems may be of benefit. Of course once older and well established say from 3ft onwards they should be transitioned to a vivarium with a multitude of hiding opportunities. Feeding generally settles and does not continue to be an issue once a balance is established regarding interaction.
An adult vivarium should measure around 120cm x 60cm x 60cm. Some keepers may want to go larger. Rudimentary heating can be provided via a heat mad and thermostat but much more preferencial would be transitioning to Ceramic Heat emitter or Deep Heat Projector (you may need a c ouple of those though).
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