Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I find red bellied snakes snakes under sawdust piles in my yard. This is Northern Minnesota. The sawdust piles come from sawing tamarack logs for firewood. Anyone keeping these snakes? I once had a nature expert from St. Paul tell me these snakes are not found in my area. He became passionate when I told him he was wrong. He produced a range map he authored which he said proved he was right and the RBS were not present in my county. I thought he was a desk bound fool. I am guessing the RBS would eat worms and be easy to keep. Last fall my wife found five RBS under one small sawdust pile.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/snakes_turtles/redbellysnake.html
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www.kingpinreptiles.com

They mostly eat slugs and are very difficult to keep. In addition to a specialized diet, they need a humidity gradient. If too dry, they'll dehydrate; if too damp, they get skin blisters. The Conant field guide shows them living throughout your state.

Tim

>>I find red bellied snakes snakes under sawdust piles in my yard. This is Northern Minnesota. The sawdust piles come from sawing tamarack logs for firewood. Anyone keeping these snakes? I once had a nature expert from St. Paul tell me these snakes are not found in my area. He became passionate when I told him he was wrong. He produced a range map he authored which he said proved he was right and the RBS were not present in my county. I thought he was a desk bound fool. I am guessing the RBS would eat worms and be easy to keep. Last fall my wife found five RBS under one small sawdust pile.

one of the easiest snakes i ever kept, just keep a good suply of slugs couse thats all they eat.
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until next time make mine slither.herb
www.housesnakes@yahoo.com