Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got an Everglades Racer and honestly, never handled a snake before.

It would be my first reptile aside from the dozens of lizards I caught in the backyard throughout the years so I was hoping someone could help me with any kind of tips or advice on care and upkeep?
I spent a good few hours searching different sites on information and a friend of mine owns two boas but can't tell me much on Racers.

The thing is still tiny, roughly 1.5'

We live on a lake and I've seen racers more than once running around our yard but was never able to get up close until my father found this one in the pool, he scooped it up and was going to let it go but there was a hawk flying around that was probably eyeing it for a while. I realize it might be a bad idea to keep the thing considering I've never had a snake before and Racers are more of a challenge, at least that's what I've come to believe. Regardless, any help or information would be a huge help.

I don't have experience with Everglades racers, but I have kept small Western Yellow-bellied racers. With a small racer, it is a good idea to leave it alone unless you have to take it out because they stress easily.
As for cage, I would recommend something at least the size of a ten gallon, but no larger than a twenty gallon. A secure lid is a must. As the snake grows it will need a larger cage.
My small racer eats crickets with gusto. Be sure to dust the crickets in a vitamin/mineral supplement such as Reptivite, Herptivite, or Miner-All. If the racer dosn't eat the crickets you can also try small lizards, minnows, and pinky mice. If you can't get it to eat let it go, and try again with another snake.
Good luck.
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

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