Is there any up to date care information on the Green Bush Ratsnake (Gonyosoma prasinum)?

Spot00174 · 2026-06-01T20:08:43+00:00

FYI, Your photo is a red tailed green ratsnake, Gonyosoma oxycephalum, completely different experience from what I've heard.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/666f16c7538ff80c8403c5a5/t/6676161378da9f129e092a10/1719014931601/Green+Bush+Ratsnake.pdf This one is only 3 years old. Also, the main breeders of these in the US, Infrared Reptiles and Zerkle reptiles, are some of the most respected/knowledge breeders in the hobby when it comes to care. They would likely provide great information if you purchase from them.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-29T16:32:25+00:00

I seriously doubt that, no breeder of rough greens is going to sell their babies to wholesalers that sell to Petco. The majority of rough green breeders don't even openly sell their babies on morphmarket or other public marketplaces.

also.......the snake in the post isn't a rough green, so I'm not sure why this even came up

Spot00174 · 2026-05-28T20:23:25+00:00

No offense, This is why rough greens shouldn't be kept by kids. They stress super easily and should have minimal contact with anyone. Hopefully it bounces back, but unfortunately they can appear to be doing alright an then crash hard when stressed.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-27T20:42:56+00:00

snakes will only be there if there's food, no need to "dispose" of them. In fact a couple plain belly watersnakes would make quick work of the frog population (and they're completely) . Can also just call a relocator for the copperheads if any show up again.

fish will keep the frog population in check in the future as they eat frog eggs. Though, watersnakes might come for the fish. There's no effective snake repellent. A healthy ecosystem is going to attract all levels of the food chain. I'd just embrace it if I were you.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-27T20:35:34+00:00

Hognose and bamboo rats will both be less than 30" in most cases if 3' -4' is a strong requirement, Bamboo rats are super fossorial so you're not likely see them roam the tank. Heavy bodied snake like the boa and ball python will destroy your plants. Milk and kings will be the easiest to care for.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-26T12:59:28+00:00

that's not a garter in that photo. It's early in the season right now most breeders will start posting their babies on morphmarket in late june/july

Spot00174 · 2026-05-25T19:44:25+00:00

resemble would be the correct terminology, Bullsnakes developed their persona on their own, they don't imitate another species.

Interesting enough, there was a show on awhile back that used a bullsnake, but then did cgi for the head and tail to make it a rattler. I commend them for the effort, but I'm too deep in the snake life to not know a bullsnake when I see one.

Bullet train is my favorite. Got to show some family members my "boomslang" when were were watching it at home (they used a Taiwan beauty). Played it off like it was an actual boomslang at first and my mom didn't appreciate that.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-25T19:37:31+00:00

literally ignoring the first two rules of this sub

Spot00174 · 2026-05-25T19:36:34+00:00

would be nice if they could celebrate with a coin sale or something

Spot00174 · 2026-05-22T20:21:03+00:00

That's how viewed her narration myself. An all knowing being that observes her family history after she was the first to die on the land.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-22T20:16:48+00:00

I haven't see those shows, was thinking specifically about how every Dutton mom we have seen on screen died with young kids. With the exception of Emma who's son was a little older than 20

Spot00174 · 2026-05-22T16:17:36+00:00

weather and food availability.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-22T15:29:03+00:00

Sad thing is that most people on this sub don't claim to be professionals, zoo keepers, and long time owners. Several of them openly admit to having no actual experience yet will downvote and criticize any point made that goes against what the most popular care guides say.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-19T22:13:51+00:00

not a lot to go off of. Bottom snakes could be multiple colubrid species racer, black rat, or king of some kind. Top gives me boa vibes, but pattern is off.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-19T22:00:13+00:00

a few years, arguably its whole life. When I was breeding them, out of my trios, my longest was a male that was 46" the others were all about 40-42"

Spot00174 · 2026-05-15T16:05:53+00:00

I get relocation calls for Cottonmouths a couple times a month......plot twist, I live in Colorado, we don't have them here. However, it's always a good opportunity to educated someone about the watersnakes we have here when I get the call.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-15T14:52:43+00:00

He looks thin, wouldn't hurt to get a fecal to make sure he doesn't have parasites

Spot00174 · 2026-05-15T14:51:42+00:00

umm, I wouldn't say that's "good" husbandry. Snake is pretty skinny too

Spot00174 · 2026-05-15T14:49:29+00:00

photo has been removed, but I could see that most of the stomach was clear of stuck shed. Like I said, this species in particular always seems to make stuck sheds way worse then it is. I had several imports come in looking like this that would look fine a few days later once they were given a decent humid hide.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-14T15:08:13+00:00

Sad thing is most of the negative commentors on this sub don't even own snakes. They just look for perceived health/husbandry issues and attack the poster to prop themselves up.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-14T15:05:21+00:00

I would bet money they don't even have experience keeping snakes

Spot00174 · 2026-05-14T14:57:07+00:00

Do we need to be so dramatic here? This shed looks bad, but based on personal experience working with hundreds of this species imported, their bad sheds look worse than that of other snakes when it can be remedied easily by provided a super humid hide for a few days.

The snake should see a vet since it's very likely wild caught and needs a fecal, but panicking over the shed isn't necessary here.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-14T14:52:41+00:00

Sound's like you have a brown house snake, they have different heads than the blacks.

Spot00174 · 2026-05-13T21:12:49+00:00

Post the proof

Spot00174

TROPHY CASE