Where did all the Taiwanese Rat Snakes go and why?

[ranger]

It seems that Taiwanese Rat Snakes have fallen by the wayside in collections in SA. Stunning snakes with good temperament, impressive size and hardy enough to survive the most idiotic of keepers. The question is, where have they all gone? 15 years ago they were the flavour of the week and now it seems a hassle to find them.

Any ideas on why?

[Jamster]

I have got a +-2m male and I have been struggling to find a nice big female for him. Tai rats are probably my favourite of the asian rat snakes, which is probably because a big tai rat was one of the first snakes I ever held.

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I think most people that are new to snakes tend to go for the corns and kings, and tend to shy away from snakes that get big or could potentialy be aggressive. I help a friend out from time to time by running his petshop. Funnily enough the trend I have noticed is first they get a corn snake or a leo, and then when their confidence boosts up or their parents become more lenient they get a ball python or a BCI.