A new visitor

[wadih]

It is not only in USA, here people have high tendency towards killing snakes. In fact none of the people I know would hesitate in killing a snake as soon as they see it and regardless of its type, size or color. Although if they think about it, very few venomous snakes exist in my country, but it is a habit nothing else...

Regarding the snake I mentioned, I decided to keep it at least till the weather gets better and warmer. It has been couple of days since I put it in the aquarium, today was the first day that it goes out of the hiding place I installed in the aquarium for a quick discovery tour. I think in couple of days he will be ready to get his first meal. However, till now I did not figure out what to provide. Fish and chicken pieces will not work, maybe I will try a pinky or a semi boiled egg. In all cases, any help or idea would be great

Thanks a lot for asking and hopefully soon I will be able to take some more pics for it outside the hiding box...

[ConcinusMan]

OK, but after seeing a video that stephan posted today, I can't help thinking that the snake you have might have been photographed in very low light. Just make sure that when you expose that snake to bright light, make sure the pupils don't turn into verticle (upright) slits. Apparently some pit vipers do have round pupils but only in low light conditions. Just be careful. Avoid getting bitten. I still think your snake is harmless but there's no reason to get careless either.

I don't know what your snake eats but I would guess that rodents (pinkies) would probably be what he eats. Still, if you keep him cool, he'll be fine, and the need for food will be minimal. I would not worry so much about food at this time. If you plan to keep him longer than 30 days, then food is something you will have to consider. Always provide a shallow dish of water.

[Stefan-A]

Apparently some pit vipers do have round pupils but only in low light conditions. Just be careful.

They do, but I doubt it's dark enough. They're also supposed to dilate when the snake is agitated.

[ConcinusMan]

"Just be careful" still applies! Can't go wrong with that.

[wadih]

Our visitor just got his first tour in the aquarium. I got some new pics for him. Although it seems the snake is not venomous; however neither its attitude nor its looks indicate that. It is so aggressive and attacks almost anything moving around it. It is 10 grams and around 25 cm (10 inch) long.

Still no food, tomorrow morning I will put a small egg inside to see how the reaction will be...

According to the eye issue, I installed a light projector on the snake before taking the pictures. The eyes look smaller and circular.

Still waiting for your ideas

[guidofatherof5]

Very beautiful snake. Love the pattern.

I have to ask, is there anyone else in your city or area that has your interest in snakes?
In my town I seem to be the only one working with garter snakes. I'm sure there are other but I haven't met them yet. Garter snakes are looked down on in my area.
I get the strangest looks when I tell them I keep and raise them. They look at me and always ask, WHY? Trying to explain to them all the qualities I see, seems to confuse them.
They just can't understand it. Their loss.

[Stefan-A]

In my town I seem to be the only one working with garter snakes.

In your town? I think there are two or three at the most in this entire country.

[Stefan-A]

Our visitor just got his first tour in the aquarium. I got some new pics for him. Although it seems the snake is not venomous; however neither its attitude nor its looks indicate that. It is so aggressive and attacks almost anything moving around it. It is 10 grams and around 25 cm (10 inch) long.

Still no food, tomorrow morning I will put a small egg inside to see how the reaction will be...

According to the eye issue, I installed a light projector on the snake before taking the pictures. The eyes look smaller and circular.

Still waiting for your ideas

It's a beautiful snake, I wouldn't mind having one of those.

[ConcinusMan]

yes it is pretty. I wonder if it will stay that way as it grows. Now that I see it more clearly that is definitely a coin-marked snake.
Hemmorrhois nummifer. Very pretty and not venomous. Check out this web page: Coin-marked Snake, Hemorrhois nummifer

[wadih]

Thanks a lot, hopefully it will make it and start eating. I agree the pattern is great and pretty. However, in compare with garter or natrix it is so aggressive snake and very easily provoked.

I am sure there are very few snake owners in Lebanon; however, most of the snakes that are owned or can be found in pet shops are Pythons, Ball pythons and milk snakes. Garters are very few and barely exist. The rest are Natrix Persian and Natrix Tessellata, they are so common and are sold in many places; however, they are so cheap (not more than 2-3 USD / or max 12-15 USD during winter) which make them less valuable to be maintained and barely can fit as pet.

As steve said almost everybody consider it crazy to have snakes as pets and most of the people consider them bad luck to the house that they exist in. The first action when people see a snake here is to kill it if it is nearby or at least leave it and move away if it is far enough.

N.B. Do you think it is Coin Snake or Asian Racer? I cannot tell the difference....