Snakes
Great Plains rat snake care guide
Pantherophis emoryi
A smaller, corn-snake-like rat snake (3–4 ft) from drier grassland.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Great Plains rat snake enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult great plains rat snake should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 24" H (4 × 2 × 2 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 120-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 24" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–92°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 82–86°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F
- Night
- No lower than 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–50%. Water bowl and a humid hide for shed.
Substrate and depth
Aspen, cypress mulch or a soil/sand mix. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Appropriately sized frozen-thawed rodents — every 5–7 days for juveniles, every 10–14 days for adults.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Great Plains rat snake FAQ
How big should an adult Great Plains rat snake enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 24" H — about 4 × 2 × 2 ft, or a 120-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Great Plains rat snake need?
Basking or warm surface 88–92°F surface, warm side 82–86°F, cool side 72–78°F, night No lower than 65°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Great Plains rat snake need UVB?
Low-level UVB (ShadeDweller / T5 6%) is beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Great Plains rat snake need?
30–50%. Water bowl and a humid hide for shed.
What substrate is best for a Great Plains rat snake?
Aspen, cypress mulch or a soil/sand mix, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Great Plains rat snake enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own great plains rat snake record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.