Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(Formerly) Hurricane (presently tropical depression) Jeanne is coming through my little berg, and I was standing outside watching my parking lot flood, when a little gray mouse came swimming toward me from the tree under which I found my girl's black ratsnake. I guess he (she named him Columbo) was there with good reason.

That being said, I've decided to go get some pinkies tomorrow and try to feed him. The cricket has been in there so long she named him, too, so it's pretty certain that he won't be eaten. Is there anything I should know about this before I just up and try to do it?

Also, it's been kind of violent/upset since I caught it. It is still knocking over the plant, and moving it's box around, trying to find a way out, and so on. What should I do about trying to handle it? I mean, I know you can't handle a snake that upset, or after it's eaten, but I'll need to know for future reference because my girl isn't likely to be the first one to pick it up.

The plant will get knocked over. I'd take it out or put it in a low pot that is wider that it's tall(and heavy). It'll probably get rooted in and destroyed after a while (it's just something to hide in or crawl on to the snake).

I've had good luck with using tupper ware type containers for hiding spots. Just cut a hole in the lid big enough for the snake to crawl into it. Most snakes like a small hide, meaning that they can touch all sides of it when they curl up in there. A snake will squeeze into a hide that's too small and avoid one that is too roomy, go with small.

As far as the feeding, try feeding at night by just putting the prey in the cage and leaving them alone. It may be too nervous to eat while you watch with the lights on.

For handling, some wild caught snakes adapt to captivity and make great pets, some don't. I've had a few that really did everything they could to excape, including rubbing their noses on the mesh lid of the tank till they injured themselves. Young snakes tend to be more defensive than aggressive. The little critter is just afraid you're going to eat it so it's trying to convince you that it'll put up a fight. Once you've got it eating regularly, handle it gently and be prepared for some squirming, biting, and possible musking. They're usually at their most defensive in the cage when you're reaching down for them. If you gently cover the head with a paper towel and then lift the middle, they don't see you coming and it sometimes goes easier. Try to resist the urge to fling the snake if it bites, it can be pretty startling(no really, it sounds funny but sad things happen sometimes). A juvenile rat snake wont do more that put a few scratches on you. Continue to hold it till it calms down (10-15 minutes) and then put it back in the cage. Keep this up and the snake will get used to it, though it may never really appreciate your company. Some people use gloves while they're going through this process, but with a little snake you have nothing to worry about. Good luck with the snake, and post a pic if you get the chance!
Lora

If it gets hungry enough it will start eating on the snake. It sounds stupid that something as small and "harmless" as a cricket would do that but it happens. I once went to a pet store and their crickets had killed a small snake by eating out its throat. I'm sure that's not the norm, but better to get rid of it than to have it chewing on your snake.

I lost a goliath birdeater to one little pinhead cricket that I didnt see.It ate the top of its head off.I sure did enjoy killing that bloated little sh#$.

I got that cricket out this morning. Good thing I did based on these posts. Thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind in the future.

Anyone get snakes mail order? Since I got my girl that black rat, I've been considering a black albino corn, or a rat snake of some kind but no place local seems to have anything of the sort. Any suggestions of where to look for corns or other rat snakes? cornsnakemorphs.com/exoticsbynature.com looks pretty decent, but I'm new at this whole snake thing, and don't know who to trust.

Some words of advice from someone who is a horrible impulse buyer when he has cash in his hands.Take your time and find out exactly what you want.Cruise the classifieds here and check out some websites.Ask questions,do some research on what you want to get.You can get killer looking snakes from the big dealers or from mom and pop dealers.When you decide what you want just post a message in the right forum and you will get feedback.I like to buy my snakes from the smaller breeders.They are more in touch with what they sell.That's just my opinion but it seems like Ive always had better luck going that route.Just remember once your bitten by the snake bug your gonna need a spare room...Paul

Agreed! Though I've never made a reptile purchase I regret, I am quickly running out of room. I currently share my 1 bedroom apartment with 15 snakes and 2 bearded dragons! Guess I can't really call it MY apartment anymore. I can't wait till I get a house. Oh, and about needing a spare room, I already have plans to build a backyard reptile house. One room just isn't enough. BEWARE THE BUG!!
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-JH

1.0 Amel Corn
1.0 Dot-Dash Cal King
0.1 50/50 Cal King
1.1 Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes
3.4 Baby Corns (Assorted Flavors)
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Bullsnake
0.0.1 Texas Long-nose
1.1 Bearded Dragons