Pantherophis bairdi (Baird's ratsnake)

Age: up to 20 years
Origin: United States of America
Length: up to 140 centimeters
Care
Experience: beginner snake keeper
Food: Live or dead prey animals.

Feeding adults: once every 2 weeks
Feeding juveniles: once every 7 days
Water bowl: Yes
Water changes: 3 times a week
Feeding
There is a choice to offer the prey animals live or dead. It is recommended to offer dead food. This is more practical and prevents the prey animal from injuring your snake. Additionally, it is advised to offer the prey animal using feeding tongs and to feed your snake outside the enclosure. This ensures that your hand is not associated with food and prevents your snake from grabbing your hand during feeding. If you do choose live food, you must supervise during feeding. After all, the prey animal can also injure the snake. Feed the rat snake separately, because when two snakes catch the same prey, they can injure each other and sometimes even eat each other. The ideal prey animal is approximately as wide as the widest part of the snake.

Water
A small water bowl is better due to humidity; it should not be too high.

Cleaning
To prevent diseases and bacterial buildup, the enclosure must be kept clean. This can be done weekly; additionally, it is advisable to thoroughly clean and disinfect the enclosure a few times a year. This prevents the buildup of bacteria. When cleaning, make sure to also clean the climbing branches and elevated platforms.

Handling
To feed the Pantherophis bairdi and clean the enclosure, your snake will need to be handled. Naturally, this must be done properly so that both the snake and you are safe. Handle the snake with a snake hook or lift it with two hands. Do not hang your snake around your neck, because if the snake falls, it will constrict around your neck. Additionally, there are some important things to watch out for when handling a spotted python. First, ensure that your snake realizes you are going to handle it and move calmly when handling it. Also, ensure that your hands are washed and do not smell of food. Finally: do not handle your snake when it is shedding and do not handle it in the dark.

Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 1 snake: 100 x 40 x 50
Lying surface area: 0.5 m² with at least one raised platform per snake where the snake can lie. Daytime temperature on the warm side: 29-32C
Daytime temperature on the cooler side: 22-27C
Nighttime temperature: 18-24C
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity: 45%-55%
Substrate: Bark or peat moss
Enclosure setup
The Pantherophis bairdi is found in the southwestern United States and in the hill country and Big Bend region of Texas. There, they inhabit rocky, wooded areas. Therefore, ensure that there are sufficient climbing and hiding places in the enclosure.

Behavior

Hunting method: Constrictor
Lifestyle: Semi-arboreal & nocturnal

Character
Active animals that are usually good-natured. This makes them easy to handle and excellent pets. Young specimens can be defensive.

Points of attention
The Pantherophis bairdi is a constrictor snake; this snake is sensitive to excessive humidity, so be mindful of this. For example, if there is a water bowl that is too large in the enclosure, the snake may develop respiratory problems.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: The Pantherophis bairdi falls under CITES II; you need CITES or transfer papers to own this snake. You should receive these upon purchase.

One-time costs: These include the costs for the enclosure, lighting, heating, water bowl, and decoration. This can cost anywhere from a few hundred euros to a few thousand euros in total. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products. Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the cost of food, which amounts to a few tens of euros per year.

Unexpected costs: Costs are incurred if your snake happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.