Species Notes based on experiences:
This animal is no longer recognised to science. Wholesalers in the UK still occasionally import animals as deckerti. They have now been rolled into the Eastern Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) which encapsulates the Eastern range of the Black Rat Snake to the North. The Yellow Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus quadrivittatus) and the Everglades Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus rossalini). This seems counter intuitive to what goes on and is still recognised and worked with within the hobby. So I will deal with the American Rat Snakes as they were. Florida Keys Rat Snakes are interesting whilst they have been pt in with the Yellow and Everglades it is worth noting that the Rat Snake of the Florida Keys retain their saddles. The Yellow and Everglades Rat Snakes eventually lose their saddles and are replaced with 4 longitudinal lines down the flanks and back. The colour palette is variable and somewhere between the mucky yellows or the yellow rat snake and rich oranges of the Everglades Rat Snake. Build wise they are very similar to the Everglades Rat Snake which was always acknowledged as the smallest of the ‘obsoletus’ group.
Score analysis:
Temperament of the Florida Keys Rat Snake for the most part is very good. This is a patient snake and makes a good species to handle. Babies occasionally may be defensive and rattle their tail through fright. IF particularly threatened they may raise the front of their body into a series of S’s. This is not a snake that is quick to bite however and would much rather wriggle and try to escape your grip. These behaviours are fleeting and animals will usually calm down well. This is another parallel to the Everglades Rat Snake of which it shares many personality traits.
Territory disputes are more likely to occur than temperament issues. Regardless of how long you have had your Rat Snake they never seem fond of being disturbed and can be quite grumpy about it. This may involve darting to the other end of the enclosure or rattling their tail loudly in the substrate. Whilst this isn’t really a hissing snake they make their displeasure known by raising the front 1/3 of their body into a series of ‘S’s. The head may also be flattened. This is nearly always bluff. Once removed from the enclosure many of these behaviours will abate almost immediately.
Florida Keys Rat Snakes have proven over the years of being kept to be very tough snakes capable of growing and breeding in even the most haphazard of care. This is however the most cosseted of the ‘obsoletus’ snakes. Winters are not overly harsh and activity can be maintained throughout the year.
The average mature size of a Texas Rat Snake is to around 6ft and animals in excess of 2 metres are rare. This is not a heavy set snake and is of elegant proportions. It is an active snake that likes to climb and investigate its enclosure. Provision of climbing apparatus would be recommended. This is a strong snake however and will feel more powerful than a Corn Snake of the same length. We would have no issues if younger keepers wanted to try their hand with this species. It would be a case of meeting the snake first and ensuring that they were a good match.
All North American Rat Snakes have a superb appetite. They will accept a range of prey items and grow rapidly. Care must be taken not to create obese animals as they are also willing to feed too well. Of all the things that could go wrong with a pet snake. A rat Snake and its love of food will not be one of them.
Enclosure recommendations:
Tub:
This species is not suitable for keeping in a tub long term
Vivarium:
120cm x 60cm x 60cm
Budget rig: -
60cm 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 (optional)
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:
The least harsh range of any of the North American Rat Snakes. The Keys remain warmer still than Florida which is already pretty mild. Temperature averages throughout the year would mean the snake can remain active throughout the year. Any brumation would be short and shallow.
Conclusion:
There is still a chance that shops may purchase animals imported from US breeders as Deckert’s or Florida Keys Rat Snakes. They are a perfectly acceptable option as a pet snake. They do not reach the length of the Black Rat Snake or the mass of the Texan Rat Snake. They are an attractive mix of yellows, oranges and tans. Younger keepers should be fine with this snake as long as introductions have been made to ensure they are a compatible fit. We would never recommend mail ordering your first snake.
