Nerodia Question...

[antoniojf]

Hello everyone,

Hemingway and Zimmerman (blotched water snakes, nerodia transversa) are eating about 14-16 guppies in one sitting, and have taken to biting on the fish so that it bleeds until it pretty much stops moving before actually swallowing it. I've noticed the fish blood on some of the aspen and it does tend to get in the water too (considering that that's where they eat). I always change out the water between feedings (also between one snake and the other) and whenever I see bloody aspen I also take it out. I may be paranoid but I'm moderately worried about their contact with the blood (when not eating the fish of course). Is there anything I should do or is cleaning out the cage and keeping a watchful eye good enough?

Other than that the two of them are doing great. They just shed a couple of weeks ago and are around 17 inches long now and seem pretty happy with their current environment. Zimmerman is very docile and shy, whereas Hemingway is always wondering around and will become aggressive and bite if he feels threatened or is improperly handled. Here's a couple of pictures of Hemingway.

[ssssnakeluvr]

no worries if they come in contact with the blood....obviously they are ingesting plenty of it from the fish anyway.

[guidofatherof5]

I don't have any advise for you but the snakes are beautiful.