Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My coworkers know I'm a snake nut and they found a 6" scarlet snake last weekend and brought it to me at work this week. This thing is small. I've offered it an earth worm but it does not seem interested. Will small meal worms work? What do these things eat besides other reptile eggs? Everything I read points more towards the scarlet king snake and doesn't say to much about the scarelt snake. IT's very pretty and it would be really cool if I could find something that it likes to eat. If not I'll let it go next week.

Thanks in advacne,
Russ

Russ:

Scarlet snakes are indeed reptile egg eaters although some will take anoles, skinks, and rodents. They have a specialized tooth to slit large eggs and swallow small eggs whole. However the case, some will drink egg yolk from a chicken egg. Just crack the egg and mix it up and put some back in the egg shell and put it in a corner of the cage and the snake will find it especially if you take out the water bowl and its thirsty. Mine drinks the egg yolk and eats a defrosted pink I leave in the egg coated with egg yolk. I have a friend that had one that tackled fuzzy mice but that is a rare event. Now you talking about a 6 incher and you can try egg but perhaps it will demise if it does not eat other stuff in a while, hence your better off putting it where it was found and seeking a critter that is easier to care for. But if you like a challenge, then more power to you. Good luck. Here is a pic of mine with a belly full of egg. He ate no pinkie but drank about half a chicken egg. I have kept small ones but they do not fair as well as larger wild caught specimens.

Dan

Could you keep a snake like that long term(years)on just eggs?
Thanks

Well I have had this one for about 2 years and do not the experience to tell you if they can be kept long term however a friend informed that he kept them on eggs for a few short years and they did not seem to do so well just on eggs? Perhaps if you have an agressive eater like me you can blend some supplements and add them to the egg?

Yes I read they dont seem to do so well in captivity. Your lucky yours is a good feeder you could mix pinkie parts in the egg , etc( dont mean to sound morbid).

Morbid? Heck the opposite. I have two blenders in my house: One for people and one for frogs, lizards, pinks, and what else might need a blend to help scent with. lol.

Dan