Elaphe anomala is a large and fairly powerful constrictor with an adult colouration of brown/olive with black and cream or yellow markings and underside. In the wild Elaphe anomala can be found in Korea and China.

Longevity: 20 years +
Adult size: 180 cms (72inches) +

Housing: adults do best in a well ventilated vivarium measuring around 120cm (48 inches) in length, 60cm (24 inches) deep and 60cm (24 inches) high. These animals are very active and will use all the room you can afford them. Hatchlings and younger snakes may be kept in a smaller vivarium.

Substrate: Kitchen paper towel, reptile carpet and even newspaper can all make suitable substrates along with a host of purpose made substrates currently available. Always check when buying substrate that it is suitable for use with snakes. When using any substrate, care should be taken to ensure there is no risk of substrate being ingested as this can lead to gut impaction. Remove all droppings and clean the vivarium on a regular basis to prevent disease.

Vivarium furnishings: Hides & shelters are essential. They prevent stress and allow your pet a safe haven from the outside world. There should be at least 2, one at the warm and one at the cool end of the vivarium. These snakes are semi arboreal and as long as they are fixed securely, sterilised logs, rocks and fake plants increase the surface area and make interesting climbing and resting places.

Heating: A temperature gradient from the warm end at 24°C (75°F) to cool areas at 21°C (70°F) is suitable. Night time temperatures should be around 21°C (70°F). A basking spot of 26-28°C (80-82°F) is often taken advantage of when the animal is approaching it shedding cycle. The heat source can be a ceramic heater or heat mat. Wire mesh guards should be fitted over any ceramic heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns. A thermostat is essential, to control the heat source within the vivarium and prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.

Lighting: No additional lighting is required for this snake if the snake is housed in a room with natural lighting. Do not place the vivarium in direct sun light.
Water: Clean water must always be provided for the snake to drink from and bathe in. No specific humidity requirements but an occasional spray will be appreciated. These snakes adore water but do not require a humid vivarium.

Diet and Feeding: Adults will take mice, small rats, Chicks and Eggs once a week. Younger snakes will eat appropriately sized mice or baby rats. A food item should be no bigger than 1.5 times the width of the widest part of the snake’s body and after a meal a small bulge should be noticeable in the stomach of the snake.

Temperament: Generally extremely shy and timid. Rarely show aggression and when they do it is accompanied by a very distinctive tail rattle warning.

Suitability as pet: These snakes make good pets but are more of a display animal due to their timid nature. They can get very large and have a surprising amount of strength. They are one of the most intelligent of the rat snakes showing surprising amounts of ingenuity in getting what they want.

Things to consider:
Who will look after your new pet if you are away?
Can you get food easily from your local pet shop?
Can you deal with feeding whole frozen and defrosted rodents to your pet?
Are you prepared to take on an animal that could be with you in ten years time?
Is the rest of the family happy to live with a snake?

Salmonella: Like all living things reptiles can carry the naturally occurring bacteria Salmonella, which can be acquired by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal. Remember, you are just as likely to acquire Salmonella from raw chicken, meat, a stale cream cake or a dog so don't automatically assume that your reptile is the only suspect! Always wash your hands after handling ALL animals.

There are some excellent books on keeping Rat snakes and you should purchase one or more of these to read before you buy your snake. You should also consider joining your local reptile society who will be happy to offer help and advice.

For further information check out the following web sites:
FBH: www.f-b-h.co.uk
Proteus Reptile Trust: www.proteus.uk.net

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Proteus Reptile Trust in the preparation of this guide.