Anyone have experience with aquatic snakes?

Zelg · 04-19-13, 04:34 PM

Hello all. I'm new to the forum and searched for this but didnt find anything so excuse me if this is the wrong forum to inquire about this. I'm currently thinking about getting a snake and it would be my first ever. As I've been looking around for different snake breeds, breeders, reptile stores, etc I am continually finding new and interesting snakes. Some are labeled as more for beginners and some more for intermediate owners. I've been thinking about anything from a ball python to a rosy boa, to a emerald tree boa, to king snakes. I've not settled on anything at all but I'm trying to at least eliminate breeds that would be too much for a first time owner.

So, on topic, I came across water snakes and elephant trunk snakes. I couldnt find much info on youtbue about their habitats or attitudes, etc. I was wondering if anyone here has or has had any experience with aquatic snakes and whether they would be alright for a first time snake owner. Also I'd like to know in general what the pros/cons of keeping an aquatic snake might be over the others listed above.

Freebody · 04-19-13, 04:49 PM

I don't know much if anything at all about keeping aquatic snakes, but I can say first snake owner don't get the emerald tree boa, they get sick easy if there needs are not met vary well, any little problem with heat and humidity can be far worse for keeping that species. im sure someone with water snake experience will chime in soon.

smy_749 · 04-19-13, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebody

I don't know much if anything at all about keeping aquatic snakes, but I can say first snake owner don't get the emerald tree boa, they get sick easy if there needs are not met vary well, any little problem with heat and humidity can be far worse for keeping that species. im sure someone with water snake experience will chime in soon.

Chris murray posted a nice looking pair with solid blacks and whites, (the pictures of elephant trunks I've seen werent' that nice). Maybe you could text him and ask about husbandry, hes usually pretty helpful (especially if it will result in a sale

)

stephanbakir · 04-19-13, 05:02 PM

I've fostered a few aquatic snakes including neordia and elephant trunk snakes... Out aquatics can be kept in non aquatic conditions with high humidity.
I would absolutely not advise you get an elephant trunk as your first snake, I'm a highly experienced keeper and I had a tricky time learning how to care for it. You can never ( I should probably say "should never" because there are morons who hold them) hold them, because they aren't built to support themselves out of water, they stress easily so you will need hides that are COMPLETELY submerged... You will see your snake every 5-20 mins as it takes a gulp of air if your lucky... Thief enclosures need to be 100% aquatic with no land, you need to cover the sides because light stresses them out and will probably kill them if exposed long term. REALLY cool tongue though

smy_749 · 04-19-13, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

I've fostered a few aquatic snakes including neordia and elephant trunk snakes... Out aquatics can be kept in non aquatic conditions with high humidity.
I would absolutely not advise you get an elephant trunk as your first snake, I'm a highly experienced keeper and I had a tricky time learning how to care for it. You can never ( I should probably say "should never" because there are morons who hold them) hold them, because they aren't built to support themselves out of water, they stress easily so you will need hides that are COMPLETELY submerged... You will see your snake every 5-20 mins as it takes a gulp of air if your lucky... Thief enclosures need to be 100% aquatic with no land, you need to cover the sides because light stresses them out and will probably kill them if exposed long term. REALLY cool tongue though

Sounds like a bad first snake, especially with the need to 'pet' your animal and always see him that comes with first time ownership. Anways, have any pics of the tongue ?

stephanbakir · 04-19-13, 05:06 PM

Nah, I'll try to explain the tongue though...
Imagine taking a snake tongue and starting the split a few inches farther down he tongue... The tongue is SO LONG at the split... It's pretty awesome. Thy regularly touch both eyes simultaneously with their tongues

smy_749 · 04-19-13, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephanbakir

Nah, I'll try to explain the tongue though...
Imagine taking a snake tongue and starting the split a few inches farther down he tongue... The tongue is SO LONG at the split... It's pretty awesome. Thy regularly touch both eyes simultaneously with their tongues

Found a pic lol
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...0701080003.jpg

Is there still more split tongue inside his mouth? Or is that about the length of the split? It looks like tentacles..that is a weird snake.

stephanbakir · 04-19-13, 05:10 PM

Much longer then that, but it gives you a good idea

KBHicks2012 · 04-19-13, 05:15 PM

That is a very interesting looking snake, I had never seen that breed before.....I can't lie I will defiantly have to do some researching now

Zelg · 04-19-13, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I figured a tree boa would not be a good idea for a first timer but they look so damn cool. I can always get one down the line when I get more experience.

It sounds like I should probably avoid aquatic snakes for the time being. I'm unsure how much I'd want to handle the snake but figure I'd like to be able to handle it now and then. The research continues....

**Aaron_S** · 04-19-13, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelg

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I figured a tree boa would not be a good idea for a first timer but they look so damn cool. I can always get one down the line when I get more experience.

It sounds like I should probably avoid aquatic snakes for the time being. I'm unsure how much I'd want to handle the snake but figure I'd like to be able to handle it now and then. The research continues....

For handling...

Corn snakes
ball pythons
spotted pythons/childrens pythons
rosy boas
sand boas (sometimes)
milk snakes

There's a few other species which maintain similar sizes and are good with handling.

My top choice for first time snakes...the corn snakes. Not a single downside to their temper or care.

Zelg · 04-19-13, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

For handling...

Corn snakes
ball pythons
spotted pythons/childrens pythons
rosy boas
sand boas (sometimes)
milk snakes

There's a few other species which maintain similar sizes and are good with handling.

My top choice for first time snakes...the corn snakes. Not a single downside to their temper or care.

I hadnt really given corn snakes and milk snakes much of a look to be honest. I'll be sure to look into them as well. Thanks.

smy_749 · 04-19-13, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelg

I hadnt really given corn snakes and milk snakes much of a look to be honest. I'll be sure to look into them as well. Thanks.

Get some tangerine Honduran or halloween phase honduran milksnakes, pretty sweet coloration.

**Aaron_S** · 04-19-13, 05:22 PM

Aquatic snakes should not really be kept.

They don't do well in captivity.

Other "water" snakes like the ones you see around ponds and such are okay.