Trans-Pecos ratsnakes have big heads and they are capable of swallowing quite a large prey item. Snakes that are distended from too-large meals should not be handled, nor should they be subjected to temperature extremes. There are reports indicating that this species is prone to regurgitate. This has not been our experience. Nevertheless, we are cautious not to feed these snakes either too-large meals or meals too close together.
Winters there are cold, below freezing most nights and there usually are several snows each winter.
Like many other kingsnake and ratsnake species, Trans-Pecos ratsnakes are occasionally subject to blooms of Trichomonas or other flagellated protozoans in their intestinal tract. Symptoms of this condition can include a loss of appetite or an unexplained loss of weight, chronic shedding, and a dull sheen to the skin . This is abnormal behavior for a Trans-Pecos ratsnake. A healthy Trans-Pecos ratsnake normally passes uric acid and other urates only when in defecates a stool, maybe two or three times weekly. Should spotting be observed, it's time to take a stool sample to the vet to see if a dose of Flagyl is needed.