Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Complete newbie here...that being said:
On Monday, the 16th, a custodian brought me a baby(?)snake that was found in our library under a trashcan. I was told that it was a bullsnake, but after looking at pictures, it actually looks like a diamondback water snake. Most of the online resources say that they are aggressive, but it isn't, at least not yet. Are they aggressive?
Also, I've been looking, but I can't seem to find any tips on care and feeding. I bought some feeder comets to try tomorrow. I did see him drinking water the first day. I bought some substrate, a hidey-cave for him and a water bowl big enough to curl up in.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
The Jeni

Hi –

You should post your inquiry in the Water Snake Forum (link below). The folks there can answer your care questions and no doubt will have you convinced that diamondback water snakes made great pets! If you have any doubts as to species of snake, it would be helpful if you could post a picture. Do you have a wet library, or just mischievous students?

Big adult diamondback water snakes can certainly put up a spirited defense when first encountered on their turf. But many species of water snakes calm down in captivity. If the little one you have is already reasonably docile, it will probably continue to be that way. Aside from its water bowl, keep its environment dry so that it does not develop a skin condition referred to as “blister disease.”

-Joan

http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=85

Water Snake Forum

A quick and easy way to confirm that it is not a Bullsnake is to look at the snakes head. If you look just ahead of the large scale on top (forward of the "brow" line there are either two or four scales called Prefrontals. If there are two large ones (like on a ratsnake) it's not a bullsnake; as they have four narrow prefrontals.

Frank
-----
"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Thanks for the help!
I think over the summer we developed a wet library...plus there is a canal close by.

I did get him to eat 2 comets this AM. I'm on my way to the water snake forum. Thank you so much for the advice!

Jeni