01. Reproductive husbandry of the rat snake [Elaphe moellendorffi]

Möllendorff’s rat snake Elaphe moellendorffi is a large colubrid snake that has only been propagated a few times in captivity, predominantly in private collections. Chester Zoo successfully hatched 6 rat snakes in October 2019. Prior to introduction, the adult snakes were exposed to a cycling regime that simulated natural seasonality. Eggs were incubated and the young snakes hatched after 80-85 days and had their first slough 13-15 days post hatching. Hatch weights ranged between 19 and 20.6 g. Through a degree of manipulation, the neonates fed successfully 4 days after their first slough.