(08-13-2012, 04:03 AM)writer811 Wrote: No, it's not that big. Excluding the tail, I would say about six inches long. About the same size as the other rats. I did a little bit of research and this isn't the first time it's happened. It's not common, but it's not unheard. I don't think it's affection (Unless there's some sort of hormonal or mental imbalance that makes the snake act parental toward it or something). I think it's just a symbiotic relationship. "Keep me warm at night and I won't eat you" or something like that.
I'm officially calling shenanigans. You have found anything resembling evidence of a snake cohabitating with a rat, for a year, living in the same enclosure, with the snake being fed another rodent, of the same size and species, on a regular basis, with the rat that lives in the cage in there the whole time. Can you post some links to where you did your research?
There are hundreds of stories of snakes that didn't eat a rodent and the rodent living there a while. But this is the weirdest thing I've heard, and I joined my first reptile forum in 1997 I think, and have had pet snakes since 1990, hung out with breeders and collectors, gone to shows, etc...
So, I am not trying to be a jerk, really, but I would love some evidence, pictures, videos, anything. I'd really love if you guys could get some videos of the snake being fed with the other rat in there.