Hello, I normally post in the python or boa forums because that's largely what I keep, but I came across a captive-bred water snake and picked it up. It is beautiful, about 7 or 8 inches tops, gobbles down pinky mice like there is no tomorrow, and is currently kept in a small plastic cage with a small heat pad on one side and a small bowl of water (much like a neonate corn snake).
Now for the questions. It was sold as a Florida banded water snake, but I looked it up in the Peterson Field Guide and saw that there are two subspecies, the Florida water and the banded water. Is the banded water snake generally known as the Florida banded water snake, since it is only in Florida? I do not have a digital camera, but I was wondering if anyone here has pictures of baby florida/bandeds for comparison. Only the adults are illustrated in the field guide. Also, is a diet consisting primarily of feeder rodents sufficient for a water snake? I have hundreds of rodents in my freezer and it would be so easy to continue feeding it just that, instead of picking up feeder fish all the time. I read that larger water snakes will often refuse hairy rodents unless coated with fish ooze. I am willing to keep a few frozen feeders in my freezer for that purpose later on in the snakes life. For now, would two thawed pinkies a week be adequate? Or should I be offering more or less? He eats in a little plastic deli cup with a lid so the substate doesn't stick to the prey item.
I really appreciate your time. Like I said, i have read over many of the posts here and you guys seem to really know your stuff. I'll be back to check for any responces. Thanks.
Joe
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2.2 Solomen Island ground boas
0.1 Solomen Island tree boa
1.0 green tree python
1.0 jungle carpet python
1.0 coastal carpet python
1.0 Boa constrictor imperator
0.1 Borneo short-tailed (blood) python
...and as always a plethora of rescues awaiting new homes
