Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok we have been tending to my FIL's house since they been gone and today my husband finds this snake below stuck on a glue trap in their house. At first we was unsure what it was and was very careful with it. We did get it off the glur trap though as someone told us it was not poisionus(sp) at all Ok so when we did a bit of it skin came off as well I don't have the stuff to keep it in the house but we are making some calls to find it a home until it sheds its skin and get rid of all the glue stuff and hopefully grows the skin back. Can anyone tell me for sure what it is and will the skin grow back. See two pictures at the link. Thanks.

Mitzi

Snake and the Missing skin

I forgot to say that we are in North Carolina USA

It's probably a black rat snake - hatchlings are patterned that way, and darken as they grow. Insofar as whether the skin will grow back the answer is yes. What that snake needs right this second is neosporin and heat. Between 85 and 88 degrees, or maybe a little higher. You can do this with a regular heating pad, or with a lamp. It also needs a water dish (I'm sure you knew that much), and a small box or something in its enclosure that it can hide in. Don't be surprised if it hides all the time.

Also, just so you know, if this happens in the future, vegetable oil will get a snake off a glue trap with little or no damage.

Anyway, good job saving the snake!

How long do you think I should keep it in the house until it sheds once and let it go? I don't wanna keep it to long as it will be getting cold soon and he/she will need to find a place to go.

Mitzi

Have you ever owned snakes before? do you have a book? Well since you are only trying to nurse it back so it can leave, keep it in a 10gl tank. You dont know when the next shed will be, it could be next week or a couple of weeks. Get everything it needs even though he will be leaving soon treat him like a normal pet untill he has shed then let him go where you think is best. Make sure the water bowl has enough water so that when he does shed its nice and easy.

Yes, I have owned snakes before. I had two pink snow corns that I had bought from Kathy Love. I also have her book on corn snakes.

Yes, I do just wanna nurse it back. I have contacted Kathy Love about it and she is suppose to get back to me. We talked on the phone and I sent her pictures.I may also give the snake to someone around here who knows more about them then me.

Insofar as someone who knows more about it than you, the care is exactly the same as corn snakes, so I'd think you're pretty well qualified. There isn't much you can do for it other than let it heal, and try to keep it from getting infected (neosporin).

Thank you all I have found a lady who has more snakes then me and could tend it as she also raise's and sales them. She is taking it home with her and she will set it up I did put the neo on him/her last night. It was such a sweet gentle snake. I do hope it will get better and live a happy full life.

Thanks so much and also incase this happens again I know of a better way to get the snake off. Thank you.

Mitzi

not sure of exact ssp, I'd guess maybe a northern
wayne