Baby snake? *pics*

[Chickengal505]

Okay so I was digging in my back yard ( Eastern NC) And I found a baby snake

I know he will grow but I was really wanting to keep him as a pet. He is black and his belly is orange with a black dot on each belly scale in the middle. I was thinking Northern red- bellied snake but it seems that their bellies are red....

I know what I'm taking on here folks and if he is a threat I'll let him go. He is about the diameter of a pencal and about as long as one too... He is doctial but.... you know..... Well I need to know....

1. What kind of snake might he be?
2. What kind of habitat should he be in?
3. What sould I be feeding him and how offten?
4. He has a few cuts on his belly, how should I treat/clean them if at all?
5. Is he...like venomous?

No I dont just go and grab up snakes at impulse, I've been looking for a little snake as a pet for months and I held his little head down with a stick while I was trying to catch him. No negative comments please?

- Thanks, Holly

 

[Chickengal505]

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[GallusGal]

To be honest, most wild caught snakes do not thrive in captivity, especially tiny fragile babies, so it might be in his best interest to release him. It can be hard to convert them to a safe pre-killed prey source, or a captive prey source in general, especially since many are specialized feeders. You also need to consider that most wild snakes have parasites, and the stress of captivity can be enough to allow those parasites to overtake the animal. Overall, I'd say if you want a snake, seek out a breeder and get a healthy, well started, captive bred animal.

If you are bent on keeping him, this site might help you with ID. It would be hard to give advice on care without knowing the species, but at minimum you are going to need a clean, DRY bedding (most people use shredded aspen, and even water snakes need dry bedding; damp bedding causes scale rot), a hiding place, a bowl large enough for the snake to soak its whole body in but shallow enough to easily get in and out of, and a basking light or under tank heater. The temperature, however, will be dictated by what species it is - natives do not need as warm as tropical species, but a typical air conditioned home is not appropriate either. If you have a probe thermometer or temperature gun, finding a nice sunny spot in your yard and getting a temperature reading should give you a decent idea of what to shoot for. Depending on the species you may also need more climbing space, more cover, or other environmental modifications.

Diet will also depend on the species. Some species are very specialized eaters. If your snake turns out to be an amphibian eater or crustacean eater, you can pretty much write off the idea of thinking of keeping it, as many absolutely will not eat ANYTHING but the frogs, toads, or tadpoles they were intended to consume. Rodent eaters are easier in captivity, and fish eaters can be managed as well, but whatever you are offering shouldn't be larger than about the size of the widest part of the snake's body, and many very young snakes eat worms and other invertebrates when they are young.

As far as the cuts go, the snakes generally heal nicely on their own. You could clean them by flushing them with some sterile saline solution, and if they look really bad, you can apply some SSD cream or an antibacterial ointment WITHOUT painkiller. But generally snakes are tough and a few small scrapes heal without human intervention.

 

[Chickengal505]

Thanks so much for commenting I'll get him in a nice pen and try and find out what kind of snake he is....

 

[GallusGal]

Make sure it is VERY escape proof. Young snakes are notorious escape artists, and finding a balance between well ventillated and escape proof can be tricky. Once they get in out in a home they typically die of dehydration.

 

[Stacykins]

Just let it go back where you found it. Unless you are an experienced snake collector who knows how to properly accommodate wild caught snakes, this snake will likely suffer in your cage. It is best to admire, and let it be on its way.

 

[thekid]

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I agree please let the snake go to live out the rest of its life were it belongs if you really want a snake go to a pet shop

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Ya'll missed this part. We're not supposed to say anything negative. RIP, snake.

 

[Stacykins]

Not being negative, being truthful

 

[Chickengal505]

naks for your input guys, I have a friend who Knows everything there is to know about snakes. Ranchhand, Thanks for your input but that was a tad.... hurtfull. I was asking for help and rudley rejected. Thanks again guys I'll find out what I need to know elsewhere

-Holly