Reptile & Amphibian Forums

eventually i am looking into getting a snake. Now, i have kept mice and rats so i was wondering what inexpensive snakes are out there that can be kept on insects(crickets, large roaches, mealworms, etc)and/or fish? Thanks, i just wouldnt want to feed em mice&rats. (i am also getting lizards so i no about that option already, so dont tell me to get lizards)
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Nic
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They aren't bad snakes if you can find CB. But even some WC water make good captives. There are many different species/subspecies. My personal favorites are the gulf salt marsh and mangrove salt marsh. They are a bit more personable as water snakes go and do not bite. The mangroves can come in a variety of colors and are available fairly often. They tend to stay smaller than some of the other species as well. Any water snake should be a healthy eater. Fish is the main part of their diet, though they will also eat worms, amphibians (not a good choice for captives), and small mice scented with fish. Goldfish can be used occasionally, but should not be fed often due to a protein they contain that destroys vitamin B (to put it simply). A 20 gallon is probably the minimum size for a small male water snake, while larger females will require much larger tanks. They are fairly active and like to bask. They need a large water bowl. I like to use aspen as the bedding so they can burrow in it. Mine tend to like to burrow under their water bowls and sometimes bask while half under their bowls, half in their bowls. Temps in the high 70's or low 80's work well, much like the temperatures they would be found in. You have to make sure you have a dry area for them to bask and rest because, despite their name, they are not aquatic. If they can not get dry, they will develop skin blisters. Always make sure to have a hidebox as well. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

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