**Warning** Graphic rat snake and rat pic

[Wolfwoman]

Ooh!! Awesome!! lol

I've had both as pets in my life and know that both are great in the wild, in their place.

Rats are VERY VERY smart critters, and make excellent pets. Snakes, well, they just like the fact they we are warm and can curl up on us. I use to walk around with a rat or a snake on my shoulder (not both at the same time!) at any given time

Great critters both

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
I went back and looked better after seeing this post. That looks like a pet rat... in fact, it looks like a type I used to raise as pets called a Dumbo-Eared or Dumbo Rat. They have HUGE ears that look like, well, Dumbo the Elephant...lol Also, it's coloring is a bit light for a wild rat. I'd bet it was a pet, or a descendant of a pet.

 

[Dust Bunny]

i like snakes AND rats

 

[darbella]

Quote:
I went back and looked better after seeing this post. That looks like a pet rat... in fact, it looks like a type I used to raise as pets called a Dumbo-Eared or Dumbo Rat. They have HUGE ears that look like, well, Dumbo the Elephant...lol Also, it's coloring is a bit light for a wild rat. I'd bet it was a pet, or a descendant of a pet.

I thought the same thing when I saw the photo. Also the fur is more of what a domesticated rat has, very smooth and soft looking.

 

[Cat's Coop]

You did good by posting this.

I have a suggestion: How about having cats around? Growing up we always had wild snakes, mice, rats, etc. My dad let us have cats outside and within a few months we don't see these anymore.

 

[Penturner]

Quote:
That is what I was thinking. Of course my wife would move out and never come back. She is deadly afraid of snakes of any kind. I have worked hard to teach my kids they are just another animal and some or dangerous and others are not. Some are actually helpful and you actually want them around.

 

[noodleroo]

Rockport, Texas is a penninsula and I've seen bigger rats than that on the waterfront. But I'm inland from the water by at least 1/2 mile; never seen anything like that around my house! Anyway, I may be a tender hearted person when it comes to my neighbors, I'm like an old horse; I've seen just about everything. I've worked in the public for over 35 years and have had just about everything you can think of said to me so I won't take offense if someone lets me have it...it would have been good to let that snake live.

 

[RM44]

I think you got some great pics! And I'm glad you posted. If I had a nickel for every decision I made that I later regretted, I'd be rich. And I am glad I have supportive friends that don't hold my regrets against me, and I expect our BYC folks not to hold yours against you either.

Great shots of the "catch". I have heard about snakes constricting their prey, but I've never had the pleasure of seeing it, even in pictures before. I agree that you might have more rats up there, but perhaps you have more rat snakes around too. Good luck getting the furry vermin under control. I do not like rats and mice lurking around in my house. And my cats are pretty lame. Hunting is a "hobby" for them and not a full time job, so they don't keep the mouse population at zero.

 

[Redcatcher]

Quote:
If you want to see hundreds of videos of snakes constricting their prey, just do a YouTube search. Fair warning though, a lot of snake owners get off on videoing their snakes killing and eating live chickens and even baby chicks. I suppose it is a good way to get rid of unwanted roosters but it irks me when you hear the laughter in the background.

 

[Redcatcher]

Quote:
I went back and looked better after seeing this post. That looks like a pet rat... in fact, it looks like a type I used to raise as pets called a Dumbo-Eared or Dumbo Rat. They have HUGE ears that look like, well, Dumbo the Elephant...lol Also, it's coloring is a bit light for a wild rat. I'd bet it was a pet, or a descendant of a pet.

I thought the same thing when I saw the photo. Also the fur is more of what a domesticated rat has, very smooth and soft looking.

I looked up Dumbo rats and the ones that I saw do have quite the size or the shape of the head of this rat. I wonder if it is some sort of a species native to that area...Similar to the difference between a house mouse and a field or deer mouse. The profile of the head almost looks like a 'possum.