Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had all kinds of snakes since 1965. But when a recently caught Nerodia Fasiata Confluens(Broad Banded Texas) scarfs up canned mackerel..... that is sweet.

Water Snakes, Ribbon Snakes, and Cottonmouths all seem to scarf down fish-smelling food items without hesitation. Sometimes WC ones must be acclimated to captive feeding using live prey, but every time I have kept the first two and a friend of mine that has kept 3 of the last, the snakes always swap to pieces of fish and/or canned fish, making feeding and water maintenance a lot easier. A tame water snake can make a wonderful semi-aquatic snake pet because they feed like machines, don't escape easily like ribbons, and are not venomous like cottonmouths. Even nippy ones are amazing if you are okay with some nips to show off.