Hello, snake newbie here

[Kevinh583]

Hi everyone,

I’m Kevin and I am new to this forum, though I’ve been lurking for a couple days now. I found the following snake by my house 3 days ago. It seemed pretty harmless so I caught it thinking I was going to let it go. I have always pretty much hated snakes but there was something about him (or her) that made we want to keep him. The snake seems healthy and in good shape other than some mites and a couple scars-no doubt sustained in some intense life or death struggle.

Anyway, I have never kept a reptile as a pet before so I’m learning as I go. The people at the pet store helped me purchase the stuff I need including a spray to get rid of the mites, but I have some questions and you all seem like a knowledgeable bunch. I hope you don’t mind answering some complete newbie questions.

First I was hoping someone could help me identify the approximate age, species and sex? The snake is about 1.5 - 2 feet long. I fed it feeder goldfish the first day till I read that was not good for snakes and switched to live baitfish for the last couple days. Are baitfish safe or do they still pose the same thiamin deficiency risk as goldfish? And since this is a wild snake is it ok to feed it things from around the house (frogs, slugs, leeches, baby birds/eggs)? I have a couple ponds with thousands of frogs just asking to be eaten and there is no shortage of other small wildlife that I am sure is equally tasty.

I don't think it will be a problem to get it to eat dead pinkie mice since it readily took a dead feeder fish I gave on the first day but I figure I am already taking the snake’s freedom may as well give him tasty warm and wiggling meals if possible. Everything I’ve read says it’s a bad idea because of parasites but the material seems to be more about store bought snakes than wild snakes.

Finally, is the substrate I am using ok? It was recommended at the pet shop and it even had a picture of a snake on the bag. However, the bait fish have a tendency to jump out of the bowl when they see the snake. The last one was swallowed along with a few splinters and I’m worried it could hurt the snake. Thanks

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard.

Finding out the species would be easier if we knew where it was caught and sexing would be easier with a picture of the vent from below. But it looks like either a T. sauritus or T. proximus. Others may disagree.

The age is nearly impossible to know, because the growth rate depends on the abundance of food and the climate.

It would be good to know the exact species of the fish you are feeding it, as some species do contain thiaminase. The substrate is otherwise okay, but it can be harmful if swallowed.

[guidofatherof5]

Great having on the forum. Another victim(good thing) of that garter snake magic.
Taking some time to read the Care sheet will help you a lot on the care issues. Here's a link:http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...ake_Care_Sheet
Here's a link to help with sexing your snake. It will help you learn how to do it yourself and also give you an idea about what photos to post for help. Here's that link: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/show...ht=Sexing+pics

[Mommy2many]

Welcome to the forum from Connecticut!

[Hollis_Steed]

Welcome! from Utah

[Kevinh583]

Thanks. The snake was caught in northeast Texas. I'm not sure what the proper name for the fish I am using is but they just called them "shiners". I don't have any better pictures of the tail yet. The snake hasn't posed on its back and I still have not worked up the courage to grab the darn thing.

Steve, I know what you mean about that garter snake magic. Before observing this little guy I would have never thought snakes could have more personality than: "get away from me, I'm going to kill you". I haven't had the snake for a week and I'm already thinking to myself that the rack I'm using would look so much better with another tank or two on it. Some of the blame for that also falls on this forum and its members for posting all the cool pictures.

[infernalis]

[Stefan-A]

Thanks. The snake was caught in northeast Texas. I'm not sure what the proper name for the fish I am using is but they just called them "shiners". I don't have any better pictures of the tail yet. The snake hasn't posed on its back and I still have not worked up the courage to grab the darn thing.

Possibly T. proximus, then.

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks. The snake was caught in northeast Texas. I'm not sure what the proper name for the fish I am using is but they just called them "shiners". I don't have any better pictures of the tail yet. The snake hasn't posed on its back and I still have not worked up the courage to grab the darn thing.

Steve, I know what you mean about that garter snake magic. Before observing this little guy I would have never thought snakes could have more personality than: "get away from me, I'm going to kill you". I haven't had the snake for a week and I'm already thinking to myself that the rack I'm using would look so much better with another tank or two on it. Some of the blame for that also falls on this forum and its members for posting all the cool pictures.

Blame we gladly take, thanks.

[gartermorphs]

[QUOTE=Kevinh583;132326]Thanks. and I still have not worked up the courage to grab the darn thing.


you could try handling it with leather gloves until your comfortable handling with bare hands