Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry if these questions seem like I don't know how to care for a water snake, but truth be told, I don't. I typically care for corn snakes, but I recently got a northern water snake (found in a high rise by a friend of mine) and they want me to take care of it initially (I'm the only person they know who cares for any snakes at all) until it is healthy enough and I can show them how to care for it properly.
I admit I didn't even know what it was until it was identified for me recently.
My questions are probably the very typical ones (for which I could find next to nothing on the internet, even after an couple hours of looking).
1. I breed mice for my corn snakes --- would he eat these, or should I be using fish (like minnows, gold fish, etc.)
2. Temp wise, I doubt they are tropical, but would they need higher than room temp (mid 70's)
3. I know hatchling corn snakes tend to do better in smaller enclosures, is this also true for the northern water snake?
4. Would he require a tank with an elaborate aquatic setup, or simply a large water bowl?
5. I imagine humidity would be a much bigger deal for the water snake than for the corn snakes (they don't care much except when they are shedding), what do you guys recommend to keep up the humidity (misting regularly, using a fogger, etc.)
6. I keep my corn snakes on wood chips, however, I have no idea what substrate to use for the water snake, so any advice would be welcome.
7. Also, I read they can be quite aggressive. Would this be stress related or just in general?
Thanks for reading, and any advice would be greatly appreciated

pic of the little guy

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"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
J.R.R. Tolkien

1. I breed mice for my corn snakes --- would he eat these, or should I be using fish (like minnows, gold fish, etc.)

You can try some pinkys that are scented. Mine takes them. If the scenting does not work just feed it a small minnow and scent the pink and start flopping the pink around. It should eat it then. Do not just feed it minnows because thiamine. (look below for posts about thiamine. i stay away from gold fish. They aren't realy even good for things that are suppossed to eat fish.

2. Temp wise, I doubt they are tropical, but would they need higher than room temp (mid 70's)

I keep mine at the same temp as all my other snakes and had no probs ever. 7-75 in cool spot 80-90 in warm spot.

3. I know hatchling corn snakes tend to do better in smaller enclosures, is this also true for the northern water snake?

If you are talking about a small glad ware box then yes it's good. Keep it about the same size as your corns.

4. Would he require a tank with an elaborate aquatic setup, or simply a large water bowl?

No a simple plastic shoe box/sweater box with paper towels as substrate and a small water bowl just big enough maybe a little bigger for it to soak in. If the towels get wet you need to change them. They will develop blisters if kept wet.

5. I imagine humidity would be a much bigger deal for the water snake than for the corn snakes (they don't care much except when they are shedding), what do you guys recommend to keep up the humidity (misting regularly, using a fogger, etc.)

The humidity is not that big a deal. Keep it about the same as a corn snake. i pour or mist a little bit when they are int he opaque stage and let it stay moist till it sheds then i clean out the box and put dry towels in.

6. I keep my corn snakes on wood chips, however, I have no idea what substrate to use for the water snake, so any advice would be welcome.

I wouldn't even use wood chips for corns unless you have it in a natural setup. Paper towels, aspen, newspaper are all good substrate.

7. Also, I read they can be quite aggressive. Would this be stress related or just in general?
Thanks for reading, and any advice would be greatly appreciated

most usualy are quite aggressive. They are just that way. they may be calmed down but it may take a while or may not calm all the way. either way A bite does not hurt much at all.
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Justin