Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there! I was given a baby mudsnake aprox 7" long by my son's schoolteacher. What is the best thing to feed it in captivity? My son really wants to keep it, but if it is a pain in the butt to keep alive, then I will release it. (Would prefer to keep it IF it is reasonably possible.)
Will they eat small fish/tadpoles??? (hopefully not amphiumas like the adults do) Never had one before. I am primarily a kingsnake & Indigo guy. But I do love all snakes! Thanks for any help you can give me.

Zee

Well, mudsnakes can be tricky from what I've heard. I'd try small fish and tadpoles, or small salamanders if you can acquire them. I've tried to keep a juvi rainbow before...which have an even more specified(EELS for crying out loud), but have't come across any live mud snakes yet, unfortunatly...Good luck with your little one, let us know if you make any progress.
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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

eels eels eels eels eels! mud snakes love eels its there favorit food i would go to a local bait shop and buy them there or u could catch them at a local pond or streem take wimens stockings and fill it with chop meat and leave it over night in the morning there whould be eels stuck to it couse when they bite the stocking there teeth will get stuck
CrazyCody

Thanks for the help guys/gals. I will try the fish/tadpole and eel thing. Fortunately I live on a creek/pond it's part of my back yard/property. I will post a message as soon as he/she eats it's first meal. Again, Thanks

Zee

that feeding is not going to be your only problem. Water chemistry is a big point, as well as the whole set-up. Basically, these snakes are ALWAYS in the water. You are going to have to make the water acidic enough to not cause blisters from the snakes just sitting in the water 24/7, keep the water warm, and make sure the snakes can still get out to dry off if they want to. I know some people have had mudsnakes feed on mice, but these are usually large adults that are trained with amphiuma-scented mice. All of mine that I kept, even with acidic water, developed the water blisters/lesions on their skin and eventually died. They are definitely not an easy species to keep, much like Regina. But as long as you know what you are getting into.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

If you steal in hunger, I will kick you when you try. These stand for me. Name your god and bleed the freak. I'd like to see. How you all would bleed for me.-Alice In Chains

Eels at a bait store. Never found any. Never caught any either. I know they live here, becaus my dad used to catch when he was young and a bunch of other people come to think of it. I'll give that thing a try though. I'm going camping from friday to sunday so that'll be a good time. Oh and it is aalmost a guarrantee i'll catch some snakes then. I'll post pics if they are something better than just midland or banded unless it is a great pattern or a realy big whopper.
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Justin

I've only found a couple of places that sell eels and only occasionally during the year. I've had some luck catching them in minnow traps in drainage ponds that I was trapping shiners in though. Good luck on the trip and let us know if you come across any good ones!
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Conrad
Too Fast Reptiles
www.toofastreptiles.bravehost.com

get mine to feed on anything. Amphiumas and sirens are not generally easy to come by. All of mine eventually developed blisters (even with the special tea water that was supposed to recitify this) and died of starvation. They simply refused to eat. I would find out where it came from and release the guy back.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

If you steal in hunger, I will kick you when you try. These stand for me. Name your god and bleed the freak. I'd like to see. How you all would bleed for me.-Alice In Chains

I guess the little bugger will have to catch his own food if you know what I mean. Thanks for the help, though. I appreciate it!

Zee

Sorry, but not being an expert on such a difficult species, I thought he/she would do better in the wild in the swamp on my property. I am too busy with all my kingsnakes & Indigo to invest a lot of time for a difficult species. Would be kind of nice to be the first breeder of these beautiful snakes and have them ALL eating rodents - "I have a dream". . . . . . . . . .

Zee

You made a good (and wise) decision. He has a better chance at survival now. I do not doubt you would care for it well, but this species just requires such exact precision in their care that it is maddening. Happy herping.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

If you steal in hunger, I will kick you when you try. These stand for me. Name your god and bleed the freak. I'd like to see. How you all would bleed for me.-Alice In Chains