Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello again --

A couple weeks ago I got a Red-bellied Snake from the wild for my workplace (We've been trying to get all of the locally common species for our educational programs) and, just like the Smooth Greensnake, it started off not eating. It had been nearly 20 days since capture and still no eating. We've tried small/pinhead crickets, small pieces of red wriggler earthworms, and more recently tiny slugs. We also recently tried feeding it at night with a 50-W redlight to keep temps around 80 degrees. This morning the slugs were all accounted for but rather than just the single Red-bellied Snake there were 15. I personally have no experience caring for newborn snakes, let alone of this species, and to my knowledge neither does anybody else at work. Any pointers regarding food and setup?

I'm no longer worried about the mother not eating -- I'm certain that being very pregnant had something to do with it and that she will begin eating in the next few days.

Thanks

Her being in the late stages of gravidity completely explains why she didn't eat.

Babies (in my opinion) should be released(they will be a PAIN). If you plan on attempting to keep them. They will need to be kept really moist... Moss would help. They will need the smallest of slugs and/or worms. And they will dry up and die easily.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
Updated 7/29!!!
www.captivebredforum.com

From what I've found online it does seem as though moisture is going to be key. Any chance they would take Bloodworms or black worms? Our desire is to release most, if not all of them. The issue with this is that the state officials in charge of issuing collection permits often ask that animals not be released back into the wild due to the risk of introducing a disease from captivity into the wild population. We're looking into that right now but the odds are we'll end up keeping a couple.

Thanks

People do it, but as someone trying it with brown snakes, it is a pain. I'd say release most and try it with three or four. It's easier to feed four of them than feed fifteen.

Billy

Phillyherping

Just an update...
One of the baby red-bellies ate a decently sized slug today. the mother still has not taken food although it now looks as if she is about to shed so it may be a while longer. all seem to be in good health, I'll have some pics to post hopefully by tomorrow.

thanks for the advice

you know what you could try small live feeder guppies rubbed on a slug than dropped infront of the red belly babies.

I got that idea from a friend yrs ago for my ringnecks (Not rubbed on slug for them but dropped in front of them) all ate them.

The guppies 'hopped" around and the snakes went after them and ate them.