Fascinating result regarding field i.d.

[LawrenceM]

I previously posted a picture of "skimmer" and asked for input. Many responded. To my shock, only one of you turned out to be correct. That was a 15 yr old gent from Port St. Lucie (5 miles up the road from me). He said it was a juvenile black racer, and HE WAS RIGHT! I couldn't believe it because the snake has blotches of maroon and even some orange! I consulted with a herpetologist/curator and he confirmed the result. In a google search for juvenile black racer the exact same blotched snake turns up. Kudos to you p.s.l. guy! This snake grows up to be nasty and a bad pet - it turns jet black at 24 inches and will have a white underside to its head. I shall release him into the wild and buy a captive bred corn (probably and okeetee). Thanks for all who participated!

[CrazyCorn]

Thanks! I only knew this because I typically catch them here is PSL, BTW Where in Jensen are you? PSL and Jensen are not that far away.

[Cindy]

Excuse me, what do you mean by a "Skimmer"?

[leia]

I think that was what he named the snake.

That snake is a tiny little guy, such a shame that he'll turn into a big meany.

[LawrenceM]

I agree. they are really nasty as adults and do not make good pets. They are quite a sight in the wild though. They slurk around like cobras. They hold their head a few inches off the ground and really move quickly through the grass, thus the "racer" name. I think I will be ordering my corn from corn utopia. Does anyone have any advice as to whether that is a good breeder?

[Amanda E]

Well, obviously, do what you want, but if it was me, I'd probably keep the racer and see if I could grow it up to be a calm snake. After all, it is still just a small one right now and could potentially be "tamed" by frequent handling.

Then again I like a challenge. If you've never had a snake before though, it probably wouldn't be the best choice.

[crossmen]

They don't come any better than Kathy Love at Cornutopia. Unless of course its Rich Z at serpenco KISS KISS.
Peace Paul

[LawrenceM]

Thanks for the response. Those two (kathy and rich) seem to be the best out there for sure. Kathy may have some hatchlings ready to go. I am looking forward to getting a real corn.

[CrazyCorn]

I have a baby and adult female racers right now, believe me these are not for a beginner or even an intermediate IMHO. You have to be able to take a lot of bites, musking, pooping, and VERY finicky eaters, and you must enjoy this :crazy02: or it is not fun at all. Me I don't mind it much and enjoy them, they are good "show" snakes. IMHO I do however come across those individuals who are very friendly or semi-friendly every once in a blue moon.

[Amanda E]

As strange as it may seem, the first snake I ever held, and the one that got me into this hobby in the first place, was a LTC black racer that my zoology college prof had (I started out in this hobby much later than most of you. :rolleyes: ). It definitely was much more squirmy than a corn, but it didn't bite or musk at all.

[MegF.]

We have loads of red racers in our area, and I've never been able to catch a single one. Very aggressive, tail rattling, and striking. Beautiful snakes though and really long. We had a couple of them over 4 feet.

[LawrenceM]

I don't know if your racers are related to ours on the east coast. I just released him back into the wild. He looked happy after just having digested a lizard. I'm getting an Okeetee tomorrow morning and I'm very excited.

[MegF.]

Awesome! I'm expecting a couple in a couple of months. Make sure you post pictures of the new "baby" when you get it.

[LawrenceM]

I will. I am just getting back into snake keeping and I am perplexed at my own fascination with it. It is really odd. I have such a strong connection with these animals that really don't reciprocate much. I guest it is because they are just such beautiful, sleek, powerful looking things and that we have the ability to connect with them at all that is so fascinating.

[MegF.]

It is amazing how attached you get to these guys. I would be devastated if something happened to either of mine, especially my amel. She's so mellow, she's just awesome to handle.

[leia]

I agree, I love my little snake like my own child (not that I have one).

I just think he is the greatest thing I've ever seen and is always well behaved. I am even concidering a tattoo of his head on my foot. He would match my coloring perfectly, we're both pale redheads (or as much of one that a snake can be).

[LawrenceM]

I picked him up this morning from DHL at the airport. I have only have a few glimpes of him as I am letting him settle in for the three day recommended settle in period. What a beauty he is though. I can't wait to get a picture of him on the forum for all to admire. He is one of Kathy Love's top Okeetees. Does anybody have advice regarding the best/easiest way to get and feed pinky mice to him. In particular, online vs. store bought, frozen vs. live. Do local stores sell frozen pinkies? Given the amount they eat is it worthwhile to spend some extra money and order on-line (say 100 batch)?

[MegF.]

My local pet shop sells good quality frozen mice in packs from 12 to 100, so that's where I get mine. You should check around and see. I found that with shipping, I was paying as much as I would at my petshop.

[LawrenceM]

Thanks. I am going to check it out.