Description
The Broad-Banded Mountain Rat Snake Baby is a hardy, captive-bred colubrid for the intermediate keeper seeking a visually striking and reliable feeder. Its distinctive pattern and manageable adult size make it a standout choice. Since we began stocking this morph in spring 2025, it has consistently been a favorite among repeat customers.
Stand-Out Features
- Captive-Bred & Hardy: This baby is well-established, feeding readily on appropriately sized frozen/thawed rodents.
- Distinctive Broad Banding: Exhibits the namesake wide, dark bands over a lighter base color, a pattern that intensifies with age.
- Manageable Adult Size: Typically reaches a total length of 4 to 5 feet, making enclosure requirements straightforward.
- Generally Docile Temperament: Known to settle in well with consistent, gentle handling.
- Proven Feeder: Our staff notes reliable feeding responses in-house, a critical trait for a successful start.
Technical Data
| Species | Broad-Banded Mountain Rat Snake (Oreocryptophis porphyraceus) |
| Life Stage | Baby / Juvenile |
| Sex | Currently Unsexed |
| Diet | Frozen/Thawed Pinky Mice |
| Weight (measured) | 7.3 oz |
| Origin | Captive Bred (CBB) |
| Recommended Enclosure | 10-20 Gallon Starter, upgrading as it grows |
| Temperature Gradient | 75-80°F ambient with a 85°F basking spot |
Your Questions Answered
Is this snake good for a beginner?
This species is best suited for an intermediate keeper. They require specific humidity and temperature gradients, and while generally docile, juveniles can be initially nervous. Prior experience with colubrid care is recommended.
What is its temperament like?
Broad-Banded Mountain Rat Snakes are known to be more secretive and can be flighty as babies. With regular, calm handling, they typically become quite tractable. They are not prone to biting but may musk if startled.
How do I set up its enclosure?
Provide a secure, front-opening terrarium with plenty of hides, climbing branches, and a moisture-retaining substrate like coconut husk or cypress mulch. Maintain moderate humidity (60-70%) and a thermal gradient as specified in the technical data.
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