insectivorous snakes

[spidergecko]

Okay I know this is a totally newbie question but is there such a thing as an insectivorous snake that can be kept in captivity? I mean one that doesn't need to eat mice, birds, fishes, etc. to survive. Some sort of garter snake, perhaps?

There are probably dozens. I only came up with Opheodrys vernalis which is very pretty. They are native to USA and Eastern Canada right? That would make them illegal to keep in captivity. I would like to try a snake but I can't do the mouse/bird/fish thing.

[HeatherRose]

I'm sure there is some kind of insectivorious snake out there...I know of a pet store who insisted that their Kenyan Sand Boa was doing fine on crickets

[Jeff_Favelle]

Rough Green Snake.

[snakehunter]

Theres O. aestivus, but the differences between the two are minute. You can buy them online from a number of places for less than 20 USD, but most are WC, and filled with probs. From what i hear they are hearty little snakes, and do excellent on a strictly insect diet.

Garters DO eat insects, but only at the juvi/subadult stages, from there they move onto frogs, mice, fish etc.
-Jacob

[Jonathan Crowe]

Garters do <em>not</em> eat insects.

[spidergecko]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
Rough Green Snake.

Wow, those are pretty cool. Are these ever kept in captivity in Canada? My websearch shows that these are fish-eaters, though. I wonder if there is something that can live on insects only. Maybe I'll just stick to lizards.

[Krenna]

I have a rough green snake. Pro's and con's on it.

They are not handling snakes they get stressed pretty easy. It is a snake that is like a fish you just watch it.

Also they need a very secure environment. I have alot of plants in his viv. They are climbing snakes, and most active during the day. Fun to watch him.

You need to keep the humidity up as well around 70-90. Temps 75-85. What I do is mist the cage everyday also he drinks the water droplets more then drinking out of his bowl. But I change the bowl everyday with fresh water.


Also depends on where you get them at, most local pet stores carry. They run about $20. But more then likely they are w/c. They are found in the USA from Fla all the way to CT.

But eating seems to be the big thing. They do eat crickets when they do eat. I gut load my crickets with supplement and feed them alot of greens, carrots etc.. I am having problems with his feeding and wonder how much longer he can last.

I would not suggest as a beginner snake because they are difficult for feeding. I have read that some don't do well in captivity, however some people have success with them.

I would have to say 2 in 10 people that I have talked to have success in keeping one.

That is all the info I have for the rough green snake , Hope it helps.

[spidergecko]

Welcome to the forum!

It sure does help. Maintaining the environment won't be a problem. I'm already doing that for my uroplatus geckos. As for handling, I don't really do that, either. But WC isn't for me. It's too much hassle, especially if I have no real snake experience to fall back on. That's okay. Some people just weren't meant for snake-keeping

[blazinreps]

I used to keep rogh greens and loved um. didnt have a problum at all with feeding. he ate crickets and grasshoppers only wouldent really touch anythin else as for handleing i used to hold mine all the time hes just curl up on my hand. the only prob i had was escapes he got out of his tank alot cuz there so thin but i always found him.

[Samba]

Even insectivorious snakes should be offered prey like pinkies and fish to vary their diet and ensure proper nutrition. If you want a completely insectivorious reptile, try a gecko or something... =)

[crimsonking]

Overlooked here and elswhere in the hobby, the shovel nosed snake (Chionactus sp.) from Arizona and nearby areas,is primarily an insectivore feeding on a variety of prey. Crickets, centipedes, scorpions and spiders are taken. They are quite variable, but most have a tri-color look and are very pretty. They are not expensive as a rule either. I think I would recommend them over a green snake even though I have kept greens in the past with good results. The shovel nosed snakes are a bit hardier in my opinion and are more accomodating to a handler.
Just another 2 cents.
:Mark

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Here are some nice links to the AZ PARC/ Reptiles of Arizona site on some of our Shovel-nosed Snakes - Chionactis ssp. These guy are common within their range. I really like these guys, and if you notice, some also carry a tri-color banding and coloration close to that of corals (much like you can see with Mountain kings and other species like Long nosed snakes, etc.). I think they are a very pretty snake. Shows we have several species that carry this same "mimic" coloration and pattern other than just milks and kings.

Western Shovel-nosed snake ssp.

Sonoran Shovel-nosed snake

[Lisa]

I'm told hooknose snakes (similar in appearence to hognose) are insectivores

[C.m.pyrrhus]

Sand snakes are somewhat simliar in coloration and pattern, as well as the Hooknosed snake (invert eatter) and Ground snake. I once got a call about a supposed Mountain king, and it turned out to be a 4 inch long neonate Ground snake (another invert eatter). I knew it could not be as it was miles out of the Mountain King range and not anywhere near where it could naturally survive. But it is easy to be confused here in AZ if your not familiar with our species. Black-headed snakes are also part of our invert eatting snakes.

Here is the complete AZ PARC listing of native snakes of AZ. You will notice they give a small detail of the coloration and pattern next to the species. As you can see, there are many relatively similair patterned and colored snakes in this scheme. You'll get a small bit of the natural history for the species there too.

[spidergecko]

Wow thanks for all the help. They are all really nice. I think i will look into finding each of these snakes and see what I come up with. I don't think I will have much luck but it's worth a try.