Mud snakes

[Blaze Mcsmith]

looking 4 mud snakes- where can i find one in the wild?:hmm:

[charlesc84]

I love Mud Snakes. I had for one for years, I used to feed to feed it huge tadpoles.
I wonder if anyone knows this, is it true Rainbow Snakes are extinct?

I think this book covers Mud and Rainbow Snakes, I used to have it, not sure where it is.

Amazon.com: Water Snakes of North America (9780793802883): Mara: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Water-Snakes-North-America-Mara/dp/0793802881/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347511821&sr=1-2&keywords=water+snakes)

[Kingsnakechris]

Not sure, but your question got me to search around google and this is what I came up with, hopefully you find it interesting,


Living Alongside Wildlife: Is the South Florida Rainbow Snake Really Extinct? (http://www.livingalongsidewildlife.com/2011/11/is-south-florida-rainbow-snake-really.html)

[Blaze Mcsmith]

i like both of them - hey charls84 where did you get yours?

[StudentoReptile]

Not easy snakes to keep in captivity for sure. Like Charles said, the eastern muds may take tadpoles, but is this an readily available prey item for most hobbyists?

The rainbow snakes are even more difficult, as they eat eels and amphiumas. Talk about a specialized diet!

[Snickers]

looking 4 mud snakes- where can i find one in the wild?:hmm:

In the mud.

[Blaze Mcsmith]

tad poles can always be aquired that no prob
as far as eels and whatever amphiums are i'll have to look into it

[Blaze Mcsmith]

In the mud.

gee thanks. i guess i'll follow an Fn rainbow to find a rainbow snake too!

[StudentoReptile]

tad poles can always be aquired that no prob
as far as eels and whatever amphiums are i'll have to look into it

Even in the winter, when they're not in season? You planning on breeding frogs?

Just playing devil's advocate here...these are things you need to think about.

[Blaze Mcsmith]

getting tadpoles is no prob even if i had to breed frogs so what- plus there's so many types of frogs that whatever tads i used for food i could still keep a few and use them to breed food.
still no one has answer'd my question!
that's the main point people not how will i maintain one after i get it!

[Blaze Mcsmith]

besides i work at a school and they order tad poles all the time. they come with tadpole food too.
they start them off as eggs and teach the kids the whole life cycle
so im not worried about being able to get food!

[MDT]

Eastern Mud Snake for Sale - 100% FREE Replacement Guarantee for DOA Shipments. (http://www.generalexotics.com/snakes/other-snakes-for-sale/eastern-mud-snake)

Otherwise, you go stomping around a swamp and hope you get lucky. By the way......
How do you breed frogs? Year-round? Do they require a certain species of tadpole?
I think StudentoReptile is bringing up valid points....it's not a commonly kept animal, and husbandry may be an issue.

[Blaze Mcsmith]

well if i can get one i'll sure be looking for a second.
as far as stomping around a swamp i have no problems with that i just need a general location to do my stomping.

[StudentoReptile]

To be honest, I only know a few field herpers who have found them....and they spend nearly every idle moment in the field.

Shallow creeks, bogs, small streams...

[StudentoReptile]

Are mudsnakes even native up there in NY?

[charlesc84]

I got the mud snake for my birthday in 93/94(can't remember for sure) from a local pet shop and had it until around 99 when it died. It wouldn't take crayfish or goldfish, it strictly ate bullfrog tadpoles until it died. I gave it 2 or 3 per feeding. At the time, Petland always had them, so feeding wasn't problem. I think they're very interesting snakes, and the reputation of being difficult to keep isn't deserved. I got the snake when I was 9 or 10 years and didn't really know what I was doing but I was still able to keep it alive. If someone was dedicated to a breeding project with them I'm sure it would be very rewarding.

[StudentoReptile]

I think they're very interesting snakes, and the reputation of being difficult to keep isn't deserved.

Yes it is. Compared to the myriad number of snake species that readily eat little white feeder mice which can be had yearround through any one of different venues (breed your own, find a local breeder, buy from the pet shop, buy frozen in bulk online, buy at your nearest reptile expo, etc), yes, I would consider a tadpole-eating snake a fairly difficult snake to keep. Yeah, there are some trickier species out there, but there's definitely a whole heck of a lot more easier ones as well!

Not many petstores routinely sell tadpoles of any kind. And the ones that do, usually only offer them seasonally, the frogs only reproduce seasonally.

Again, no one really specifically breeds bullfrog tadpoles commercially on a large scale. The ones you see at pet shops are ones that end up along with goldfish shipments, because the large commercial goldfish ponds that produce thousands of feeder comets happen to attract bullfrogs which occasionally breed. Whenever the little feeder goldfish are collected, tadpoles are caught up in the mix (kinda like dolphins in tuna nets). The fish farmers and pet industry at some pointed decided to cash in on the unexpected bonus critters in the ponds and, thus you can occasionally buy bullfrog tadpoles for a few bucks a pop. Just to give you a perspective of the matter.

[StudentoReptile]

And regarding the OP's initial question, mud snakes don't appear any farther north than Virginia. So you may need to do some traveling before you come across one in the wild.

[Blaze Mcsmith]

Are mudsnakes even native up there in NY?

i dont know? probably not as ive never seen one .

[Blaze Mcsmith]

just so i can be a little more clear on the issue-
i'll deal with feeding it! i understand its a project but not impossible!
the main thing here people is getting one or 2
taking a short trip down south isnt a problem either its just location
unless i find one for sale.
but thanks for all the input-keep it coming.

[Blaze Mcsmith]

I got the mud snake for my birthday in 93/94(can't remember for sure) from a local pet shop and had it until around 99 when it died. It wouldn't take crayfish or goldfish, it strictly ate bullfrog tadpoles until it died. I gave it 2 or 3 per feeding. At the time, Petland always had them, so feeding wasn't problem. I think they're very interesting snakes, and the reputation of being difficult to keep isn't deserved. I got the snake when I was 9 or 10 years and didn't really know what I was doing but I was still able to keep it alive. If someone was dedicated to a breeding project with them I'm sure it would be very rewarding.

thanks that gives me some more hope in this project.

[MDT]

Well Blaze, it's time to sadle up and take a trip below the Mason Dixon line. You ain't gonna get one in NY unless you ship it in. Be sure you check the local collecting laws.

[charlesc84]

Yes it is. Compared to the myriad number of snake species that readily eat little white feeder mice which can be had yearround through any one of different venues (breed your own, find a local breeder, buy from the pet shop, buy frozen in bulk online, buy at your nearest reptile expo, etc), yes, I would consider a tadpole-eating snake a fairly difficult snake to keep. Yeah, there are some trickier species out there, but there's definitely a whole heck of a lot more easier ones as well!

Not many petstores routinely sell tadpoles of any kind. And the ones that do, usually only offer them seasonally, the frogs only reproduce seasonally.

Again, no one really specifically breeds bullfrog tadpoles commercially on a large scale. The ones you see at pet shops are ones that end up along with goldfish shipments, because the large commercial goldfish ponds that produce thousands of feeder comets happen to attract bullfrogs which occasionally breed. Whenever the little feeder goldfish are collected, tadpoles are caught up in the mix (kinda like dolphins in tuna nets). The fish farmers and pet industry at some pointed decided to cash in on the unexpected bonus critters in the ponds and, thus you can occasionally buy bullfrog tadpoles for a few bucks a pop. Just to give you a perspective of the matter.


I'm entitled to my opinion, and it's my opinion that the snake isn't hard to keep. You don't have to agree with me.
The only difficult part is the food source, but I think it's worth experimenting with the snake and figuring out what else it may eat. Perhaps it will eat tomato frogs, those are always available and cheap. Maybe there's a local pet store that will order small bullfrogs or bullfrog tadpoles... If someone wants the snake bad enough it's worth looking into.

[rmfsnakes32]

Good luck to you hope you can find what your looking for. Once you get one talk to a local pet shop maybe they can special order them from southern states if you become a regular customer, I dont know for sure just a thought!

[Blaze Mcsmith]

thanks guys will do - and when i get one I'll post it

[StudentoReptile]

I'm entitled to my opinion, and it's my opinion that the snake isn't hard to keep. You don't have to agree with me.
The only difficult part is the food source, but I think it's worth experimenting with the snake and figuring out what else it may eat. Perhaps it will eat tomato frogs, those are always available and cheap. Maybe there's a local pet store that will order small bullfrogs or bullfrog tadpoles... If someone wants the snake bad enough it's worth looking into.

Tomato frogs are mildly toxic. Not something I would suggest as a food source.