Comparable snakes in South America, Europe, Australia?

[Amanda E]

I was just curious if anyone knows of any rodent-eating colubrids that are fairly easy to care for that are native to South America? Native to Europe? Native to Australia?

I was just thinking of getting some new snakes (other than cornsnakes) in the future and I thought it might be neat to have a type of colubrid (as similar to a cornsnake as possible) from each continent.

I figured good choices for Asia and Africa would be, respectively, the Japanese (Kunasir Island) Ratsnake and the African House Snake.

But I'm at a lost as to whether or not the other continents even have snakes that could be considered similar to a cornsnake.

Can anyone help me out here?

[Marcel Poots]

As far as European I would suggest Elpahe situla. These are rather small (up to 3') and are amazingly beautfull. They need slight cooler temps than corns though..

Asia, then I think of Elpahe bimuculata. Very cornsnake alike.

But don't forget Russian rats. They are very cornsnake alike but slight more intelligent and they become somewhat bigger. I have a 6' plus male.

[brownie55]

I am curious. When you say the Russian snakes are more intelligent, what does that mean? More escape prone? More trainable? How do you measure?

Thanks

[Marcel Poots]

Intelligent in the sence that they are way more aware of their surroundings.. When you open a window they will slide in front of you and check you out. They will slither on your arm out of the cage.. When you enter the room you will notice them moving to the window.. little things like that.. Hard to explain...

[brownie55]

OK, thanks. I understand what you mean. Not little shy guys like the corns. I just looked at them on your web site. Impressive. Their size and shape reminds me of Pine Snakes, though the coloration is different.

[Marcel Poots]

Yes, they look a bit like them. Same size for sure..
http://gallery.dierenparadijs.be/data/500/232RussFeb23-02.jpg

He feeds on adult rats...

http://gallery.dierenparadijs.be/data/525/232RussFeb23-01.jpg

[Amanda E]

While looking up Elaphe situla, I found a site that listed other European snakes.

This snake (Elaphe longissima) is, I guess, a native to Italy. I like it:

Adult:
http://www.herp.it/images/Colubridae/ReSeCoHeLoA0001.jpg

Hatchling:
http://www.herp.it/images/Colubridae/ReSeCoHeLoA0002.jpg

Anyone with any ideas for South America or Australia?

[Marcel Poots]

The Elaphe longissima is actually the snake you see in the drugstore sign ;) They are handsome. I have capture one in France. But don't expect them to eat more than 5 times a year.. In Holland you can keep them legal with BUDEP papers.

[Marcel Poots]

Originally posted by Amanda E

Anyone with any ideas for South America or Australia?

What about South Africa? The African house snake. Great pets, good feeders (the females) and they produce eggs up to 4 times a year ;) I loved mine but I did not like cleaning the cages so often. They are very messy.

[Amanda E]

LOL! Did someone just skim my post? I know I do tend to write a book each time. :D

Sorry to tease Marcel, but yes, I know about African House Snakes, that's why I already listed them in my original post. ;)

...which is why I was wanting to know about South American, Australian, and European snakes only, because I already had ideas for Africa and Asia.

So Elaphe longissima aren't the best eaters, huh?