Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I normally don't bring home snakes when I see them in the wild, but I didn't have my camera and she looks much different than the others I've seen and I wanted to get some photos so I brought her home.

Anyway, since I brought her home, I've decided to keep her for a few days until I get a chance to take her back out to her real home.

I have her set up basically like a cornsnake, but I have an extra large water bowl in there in case she needs to soak (I figure that they do since they are called water snakes) and a big branch to lay on, since that's how I found her basking.

Anyway, I don't know how often they eat since they are generally fish/frog eaters and I'm used to rodent eaters, so I was wondering if I should even bother to try and feed her while in my care. And if I do try to feed her, are fish from the bait store okay? I know not to feed them goldfish.

Anything else I should know? She seems like she may have just eaten, but it actually looks/feels more like she's gravid instead (big bulge more than half her length and squishy instead of hard). If she's gravid would it be okay to keep her until she gives birth and then release them all at the same time? Or is it best for the babies to be birthed in the wild?
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alstiver@hotmail.com

3.3.13 cornsnakes
8 cornsnake eggs

I just was reading back posts on here and saw one for a queen snake. I forgot that those are even in Ohio. Anyway the fact that it looked so different from the other water snakes I've seen (looks almost like a garter but it's solid gray/brown and has a thin yellow stripe down the middle of the belly) and was pretty calm when I caught it (musked me but didn't even attempt to bite) makes me wonder if instead I have a queen snake on my hands.

When I take those photos I spoke of, I'll try to post a few and see what you say.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

3.3.13 cornsnakes
8 cornsnake eggs

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alstiver@hotmail.com

3.3.13 cornsnakes
8 cornsnake eggs

It is some kind of cray fish eating snake. I ahve never sen oen liek this so I think we need pierson on this. I am not sure if it a wueen. I have never seen one gravid so I do not know if it or not seeing how big around it is and how it is grey. I do not kno the crayfish snake very well. I would let it go before it gives birth though.
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Justin

Regina septemvittata. When she has babies, simply take them all back to where you found the mother and release them. Just do it fairly soon after they are born. Make sure you take pictures first!
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

She just had babies today; 12 of them, but only 11 survived. The one that died looked fully formed, it just didn't make it for some reason. I released them where I found the mom. Hopefully they will be okay, as right before I was leaving, I saw a great blue heron carrying away another snake across the river.

I'll post photos of them soon.
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alstiver@hotmail.com

3.3.13 cornsnakes
8 cornsnake eggs

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alstiver@hotmail.com

3.3 adult cornsnakes
0.3.10 baby cornsnakes
8 cornsnake eggs

Those are some BIG babies. Good job with the midwifing.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture