Score analysis:

Baby Twin Spotted Rat Snakes are usually reasonably compliant, there may be occasional issues but this is usually down to being startled. Oddly this is snake that can become more huffy with time and the temperament can degrade slightly. There are exceptions and we have had totally tame specimens but then we have had some real pain in the bums to.

A snake that will stand its ground and make clear it does not appreciate your presence. Rather than S’ing the neck and inflating they compress and flatten their heads into a spear shape. Bluff strikes may also take place. This subsides once in the hand like so many other snakes. This is actually down to the fact this is a secretive and shy snake. They can be flighty and loose bowelled when young.

This snake undoubtedly comes from some challenging regions within China but our concerns about hardiness seem to be coupled with how painfully shy the snake is. Stress can be a real challenge here where snakes can fast, and in turn deteriorate quite quickly. Stress affects their metabolism. This situation will only improve with ongoing breeding programs to create new generations of incrementally calmer animals.  

Our good friend Francis Cosquieri encouraged us to review down the adult size quoted for the species. We had originally listed as up to 150cm. As we had a single example come through to Snakes N Adders in Leeds in around 2005-2006 that was this length. It was an imported animal and obviously of advancing years. It was a unit and built like a tank (the most impressive part being the sheer size of the head). We have been assured that this is an exception and not the rule with the vast majority staying a similar or slightly smaller size than the Steppes Rat Snake (Elaphe dione). So the adult size score of 80% could be slightly unfair and Francis for example may have given a score of 95-100% (giving a score of 73% overall)

This is a species affected by stress and therefore handling should be kept to a minimum immediately prior to feeding attempts. This may be a snake in some instances that simply will not feed in front of you. Mature males may fast throughout winter.  

Enclosure recommendations:

Tub:
   33 or 50ltr

Vivarium:
   90cm x 45cm x 45cm

Budget rig: -
    40cm x 30cm heat pad
    On / off thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Warm hide
    Cool hide
    Water bowl
    substrate

Recommended rig (vivarium only): -
    250w ceramic heat emitter
    Ceramic lamp holder and bracket
    Bulb guard
    Day night thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Various logs and caves along the thermal gradient
    Damp hide
    Climbing and exercise branches
    Plants and foliage (live or artificial – your choice)
    Water bowl
    Substrate
    UVB light (8w T5 shade dweller 7% kit from Arcadia or equivalent) (optional)
    Subterranean section to vivarium for further psychological security (optional)

Climate analysis:

This species does not have to endure the harshness experienced by its cousins the Steppes, Russian and Amur Rat Snakes respectively. Winters generally fall to around 0°c which is kind of middle of the road for temperate species. They would brumate for 3-4 months in the wild. In captivity a 2-3 month brumation down to around 8°c would be fine. This would then switch problematic male back on for feeding that had become sporadic the season before.
 
Conclusion:

A species in need of much more work. This isn’t the end of their story, the beauty is there and the temperament has the potential to be there too. With subsequent generations of work on this species this could be another top 10 species. For now though it may be for the beginner looking to add a second of third species that they don’t mind handling and working with only sparingly.

The photographic content below courtesy of Francis Cosquieri. He retains the copyright for these photographs. Please do not reproduce without consent.