Scaleless Everglades Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni)

Common Name: Everglades Rat Snake
Scientific Name: Elaphe obsoleta rossalleni
Source: CB
Adult Size: 120–180cm (4–6ft), occasionally larger
Native Range: Southern Florida, USA — particularly the Everglades and surrounding wetland regions

Enclosure: A minimum 120×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium for adults; this active species benefits from the additional floor space, and larger specimens will thrive in a 180×60×60cm. Provide a substrate that holds a little moisture (such as coconut fibre or a coco-soil mix), multiple secure hides at both the warm and cool ends, and some low branches or cork bark for enrichment — this species is a capable climber and will make use of any vertical space on offer.
Heating: Aim for a warm basking spot of around 30–32°C, with a cool-side ambient of 22–24°C. A night-time drop to 18–20°C is natural and well tolerated.
Humidity: 50–70% relative humidity, reflecting their humid subtropical origins. Misting one side of the enclosure lightly a few times per week, combined with a moisture-retentive substrate and a partially covered top, will keep levels stable without making the whole enclosure damp.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the snake can bask around 25–35cm beneath it. Though rat snakes are often described as crepuscular (most active at dawn and dusk), access to low-level UVB supports natural vitamin D3 synthesis and overall wellbeing — particularly beneficial for a scaleless animal that may absorb UV more readily through exposed skin.
Diet: Defrosted mice or rats of an appropriate size (roughly as wide as the snake's widest point) every 7–10 days for juveniles, and every 10–14 days for adults. This species typically feeds readily and makes a straightforward feeder once settled.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Everglades Rat Snake is a beautifully coloured subspecies of the North American rat snake complex, native to the lush wetlands and subtropical forests of southern Florida. Wild individuals display warm orange and reddish tones that deepen with age, and this scaleless variant takes that visual appeal to another level entirely — without scales to diffuse the colour, the underlying pigmentation appears vivid and almost luminous, making each animal a genuinely striking display piece.

These are active, curious snakes that tend to settle well into captivity and can become quite confident with regular, gentle handling — making them a good fit for keepers who have moved beyond their first snake and want something with a bit more personality and presence. The scaleless trait requires no specialist care, though attention to humidity is worthwhile to ensure comfortable sheds.