Full Grown Yellow Rat Snake: Size, Lifespan, Price & More
The yellow rat snake is a non-venomous colubrid snake species found across the southeastern United States. As yellow rat snakes reach maturity, their size, appearance, habits and care needs will change. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about a full grown yellow rat snake including their size, weight, feeding, lifespan and more.
Size at Full Growth
On average, a full grown yellow rat snake will reach a total length of 4-5 feet (122-152 cm). Some particularly large specimens may exceed 5 feet but this is uncommon. In terms of thickness, an adult yellow rat snake typically measures between 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) in diameter at its widest point.
Females tend to be slightly larger than males on average. A typical length range for mature yellow rat snakes would be:
- Male: 3-4 feet (91-122 cm)
- Female: 4-5 feet (122-152 cm)
Weight at Full Growth
When it comes to weight, a healthy fully grown male yellow rat snake usually weighs between 8-16 ounces (227-453 grams). Females tend to carry more weight and typically fall in the range of 12-24 ounces (340-680 grams) as adults.
Appearance at Full Growth
Visually, the mature yellow rat snake has a slim yet muscular body shape. Their dorsal scales are keeled and their ventral scales are smooth. Ground color tends to range from light yellow to yellowish-brown, sometimes taking on a reddish hue. The belly is pale yellow to nearly white.
Dark brown to black saddle-shaped crossbands cover their back, usually extending halfway around the sides. These bands are evenly spaced and become narrower towards the tail. The head is distinct from the neck with two thin dark lines extending from behind each eye, curving down towards the jaws.
Personality at Full Growth
As yellow rat snakes mature, their temperament tends to remain relatively calm and docile compared to when they were juveniles. Many fully grown specimens are quite tolerant of careful handling but will musk or defecate as a defense mechanism if stressed. Overall, adult yellow rat snakes make decently tame and low-maintenance pets for experienced handlers.
Price
You can typically find captive-bred adult yellow rat snakes for sale between $50-150 USD, depending on factors like gender, size and locality. Established breeders with a reputation for healthy stock may charge higher prices. Be prepared for veterinary costs too as large snakes still require annual checkups and treatment if any health issues arise.
Food/Feeding
The staple diet of an adult yellow rat snake consists of rodents. Appropriately sized feeder mice or rats should be offered once every 7-10 days. Due to their large size, fully grown specimens may require adult mice or small/medium rats at each meal. It's important not to overfeed snakes to prevent obesity and related health problems.
Some potential feeding schedule options for adult yellow rat snakes include:
- 1 adult mouse every 7-10 days
- 1 weanling/small rat every 10-14 days
- 1 medium rat every 14-21 days
Avoid any signs of regurgitation after eating. Handle snakes gently for 48 hours post-feeding to avoid unnecessary stress.
Lifespan
With excellent care, yellow rat snakes can live 10-15 years on average in captivity. Some particularly long-lived specimens may survive well into their late teens. Their maximum natural lifespan in suitable captive conditions is estimated at 15-20 years.
Health at Full Growth
Adult yellow rat snakes tend to remain healthy if provided a clean, hygienic enclosure with appropriate temperatures and humidity levels. Common issues to watch for include:
- Obesity - From overfeeding, lack of exercise
- Respiratory infection - From poor ventilation, incorrect temperatures
- Parasites - Especially mites, treated with veterinary-prescribed medication
- Injuries - From stress, improper handling due to large size
Be sure to take your snake to an experienced exotic veterinarian annually for wellness exams and any necessary treatments.
Care and Nutritional Needs
Housing a full grown yellow rat snake requires an appropriately sized enclosure, at minimum a 40 gallon breeder tank or larger. Maintain clean conditions with daily spot cleaning and deep sanitization weekly:
- Substrate: Aspen shavings, paper towel, potting soil mix
- Hides: 2 hides, warm on one side, humid hide on other
- Decor: Branches, vines, foliage for climbing/covering
- Temperature: 88-92°F on warm side, 80°F on cool side
- Hydrometer: 40-60% humidity at all times
Soak snakes in shallow water for 15-30 mins weekly to maintain shedding and hydration. Spot clean often to remove waste and uneaten food items promptly.
Possible Behavioral Changes
Compared to when they were young, fully matured yellow rat snakes may display some shifts in demeanor and habits:
- Less active exploring, preferring rest versus play
- More stationary positioned coils versus frequent roaming
- More musking defense versus frequent biting when agitated
- Calmer temperament rarely showing aggression signs
- Slow metabolic rate taking longer between meals
Notable Characteristics
Some distinguishing traits that set adult yellow rat snakes apart include:
- Large size up to 5 feet long
- Thick muscular body shape
- Dark crossband pattern covering the back
- Distinct triangular head versus body
- Temperament remains relatively tame and docile
- Slow deliberate motions versus quicker darting
- Lethargic nature enjoying rest over activity
Cost of Keeping an Adult Snake
While the initial purchase price is relatively low, factor in recurring costs of keeping a full grown yellow rat snake such as:
- Large high-quality enclosure - $150-300
- Substrate, plants, decor - $50-100 annually
- Electric heating/lighting fixtures - $40-80
- Rats/mice for feeding - $30-50 quarterly
- Vet visits and potential treatments - $75-150 annually
Expect to budget $300-500 per year for quality care of a large colubrid snake long term including housing, habitat, feeding and veterinary needs.
