Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, one of the Chinese Water Snakes was ill when we got him. He was thin, wouldn't eat, and yesterday started going into convulsions. He is no more.

His companion, Lo Pan, however, seems to be doing quite well. He is now in his new tank, swimming, basking and eating like a pig.

I have about 3 gallons of water, gravel, river rocks, live bamboo, live water fern and live Kyoto water grass on the left, with a submersible filter pump. The water stays at 76*.

The basking side has a gravel base with a sand/soil mix for burrowing and basking (yes, they burrow! I think he's looking for frogs or worms or something), river rocks, and a fake plant for cover. The basking side ranges from 77* at night to 83* in the day. I used a turtle ramp and a crappy silicone job to separate the wet/dry areas, and the seal seems to be holding...

Any comments/ideas would be appreciated!

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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.2.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snakes
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

Love that belly!!

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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.2.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snakes
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

That specimen appears to be in great shape and that housing for it is just outstanding and that live plant stuff will only add to great water quality etc. Have fun and enjoy.

Dan

Thanks, Dan. It's the water quality that scares me the most. I've read that poor water quality is the main cause of blisters in captive water snakes, not prolonged soaking. I don't know if it's true or not, but it can't hurt to stay on top of it.

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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.2.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snake
0.0.1 Desert Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

The water quality factor is indeed important but so is ventalation. If the snake cannot completly dry off in clean air, then blisters could start. Soaking is fine, but they benefit from a heat lamp. Amd sometimes water snakes have the proper set up and arrangements, but apt to hide in the water too much to seek shelter from people, therefore they can also get blisters by staying hidden all the time in the water. In any event, that is why it is often best to go with a simple set up of a water bowl and paper. And sometimes you have to use a small water bowl so they dont soak in it all the time. Water snakes are easy but they require constant observation and proper conditions. Good luck.

Dan

Hey Dan. Thank you for your advice. I noticed he was getting too fond of his pagoda and he wouldn't leave the water side anymore. I removed the pagoda from the water and put a hide in the soil. Now he seems to be taking more to the dry side.
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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.2.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snake
0.0.1 Desert Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

It seems many water snakes are baskers, so I include several plastic branches over the water and the water snakes spend much time up there basking under a small heat lamp. Perhaps place several in that setup and eventually it might start loosing its fear of people and start basking often.

Dan

I'll try that next.

Thanks,
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Diego & Tiffany
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.2.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snake
0.0.1 Desert Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos

I don't know anything about this particular species. But - Natrix and Thamnophis in the US will develop blisters and die when kept in moist or damp enclosures. I would get rid of all that water and keep the snake on a dry substrate with a water bowl big enough for the snake to soak in. I know it seems odd that water will kill water snakes, but please take my word for it.

A warm, dry basking spot will be important and a hide on both the warm and cool part of the enclosure will allow the snake to choose its preferred temps. You can use loads of cheap plastic plants to provide a sense of security and remove them gradually as the snake adjusts to captivity. But get rid of that water!

Gorgious snakes!

Joe

Thanks!

Ever since I put a hide box on the dry side, he only goes into the water to hunt. Maybe once a day, either early evening or morning. The rest of the time, he is basking or in his hide. He is dry most of the time.

I have been keeping an eye on him, and I just don't see a problem. If I see any developments, I will put him into the standard quarantine set-up. Until then, though, I think he's doing well.
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Diego & Tiffany's Zoo
SNAKES
4.4 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake (M.I.A.!!)
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
0.0.2 Rosy Boas (Coastal & Baja)
0.1.0 Pueblan Milksnake
1.2.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
1.0.0 Western Hognose
0.1.0 Solomon Island Boa
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.0.1 Chinese Red-Bellied Water Snake
0.0.1 Desert Phase Kingsnake
LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
0.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
1.0.0 Turquoise Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
0.0.3 Leopard Geckos