Oak snake questions

linton23 · 07-26-15, 12:43 PM

This is Ralph he was discovered in a jeep that had been traded into our dealership. I dont know how long he was inside but he was very docile and easy to catch. I have had him for about 2 days before I decided to feed him. I may have went to small but I feed him 2 pinkys today. He came alive and went very active. I have a couple of questions about him one when I caught him I was bare handed. Should I use gloves to handle him or start bare handed picking him up when I take him out to feed him? A couple of times he has shaken his tail fast enough to make a rattle sound is that normal? Is there anything I need to look out for how often should he be fed? The picture was taken when we first got him home. I have got him some bedding made of aspen a hide cover and there is a heater under one side of the tank and a bowl of water. Should i put his hide over the heater or not? Thanks for any help.

toddnbecka · 07-27-15, 12:52 AM

Found inside a vehicle, sounds like someone lost their pet snake. You could try contacting the previous owner of the jeep. As far as feeding, can't tell size from the pic, but pinkies are only suitable for very small hatchlings. That one looks a good bit larger than a hatchling. Buzzing the tail is a common defensive display among a number of snakes, mostly rat snakes and racers IME. No need to wear gloves to handle unless you're really afraid of being bitten. Not likely to hurt much even if it did happen, just clean up with soap and water. Any heater should be on a thermostat or at least a rheostat, provide 2 hides, one on the warm end and the other on the cool end, and a large enough enclosure for an actual separation between the temp zones.

toddnbecka · 07-27-15, 12:57 AM

Here's a couple pic of a rat snake small enough to eat pinkies:

Here's a 4' Everglades rat snake, she eats 2-3 hoppers or small weaned mice weekly:

eminart · 07-27-15, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linton23

This is Ralph he was discovered in a jeep that had been traded into our dealership. I dont know how long he was inside but he was very docile and easy to catch. I have had him for about 2 days before I decided to feed him. I may have went to small but I feed him 2 pinkys today. He came alive and went very active. I have a couple of questions about him one when I caught him I was bare handed. Should I use gloves to handle him or start bare handed picking him up when I take him out to feed him? A couple of times he has shaken his tail fast enough to make a rattle sound is that normal? Is there anything I need to look out for how often should he be fed? The picture was taken when we first got him home. I have got him some bedding made of aspen a hide cover and there is a heater under one side of the tank and a bowl of water. Should i put his hide over the heater or not? Thanks for any help.

It's hard to tell how big he is from the photo, but he can definitely handle something larger than pinkies. No need for gloves unless you're just scared of being bitten. The tail shaking is common in many species, including this one. Feeding is generally recommended every 7-10 days. Be careful with your under tank heater. The warm side doesn't need to be much over mid 80's. And he needs a cool side that isn't over 75 degrees. Use a thermostat or rheostat on the heater to accomplish this.

And there are some who will give you flak over keeping a wild snake. But, in my opinion, it's fine with common species like this gray rat snake. There's a chance he has a pretty good load of parasites though.

linton23 · 07-27-15, 11:20 PM

Just to update everyone I fed him 2 pinkies Sunday he ate both with no problems. He put on a nice show grabbing them from my tongs my kids thought that was awesome. I plan on getting him a bigger meal when I can go out of town again. Is there anything I could do about the parasites? There is not a vet in my area that will handle reptiles.

linton23 · 07-27-15, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Found inside a vehicle, sounds like someone lost their pet snake. You could try contacting the previous owner of the jeep. As far as feeding, can't tell size from the pic, but pinkies are only suitable for very small hatchlings. That one looks a good bit larger than a hatchling. Buzzing the tail is a common defensive display among a number of snakes, mostly rat snakes and racers IME. No need to wear gloves to handle unless you're really afraid of being bitten. Not likely to hurt much even if it did happen, just clean up with soap and water. Any heater should be on a thermostat or at least a rheostat, provide 2 hides, one on the warm end and the other on the cool end, and a large enough enclosure for an actual separation between the temp zones.

I spoke to the owner and she was horrified.