Northern Red bellies anyone?

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 11:48 AM

Hey everyone! just have some quesitions because im a first time snake owner.
i have a northern red bellied snake i found in the backyard after a almost fatal weed wacking incedent.

i picked him up because he looked pretty stunned, he turned and looked at me and started flicking his tongue. im sure he is okay because he is acting completely normal except he wont eat.. im thinking that he might have eaten before i got him but im just not sure. what procautions should i take? he is a very beautiful snake though. ill post pics tonight.

Lankyrob · 07-13-12, 12:09 PM

If there are no major injuries then release him back to the wild, he will find his own food

Wildside · 07-13-12, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

If there are no major injuries then release him back to the wild, he will find his own food

^^^This

Chances are captivity is not gonna be suitable enough for him to even want to eat. Letting him go is the most kind thing you can do.

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 01:31 PM

i actually tried that.. i put him in the grass and he wouldnt go away from me. he just kept coming back to my legs and feet. i know its odd and everything, but hes actually doing good right now. its like he doesnt want to go back.. haha.

infernalis · 07-13-12, 01:46 PM

If you are in fact talking about a Storeria occipitomaculata, I used to breed them and I can say they do terrible in captivity.

This snakes primary diet is garden slugs and small snails.

Can you provide slugs and snails year round?

I gave up on them because maintaining a slug colony in my basement was a major pain in the butt.

They are beautiful, friendly snakes.. it's the feeding part that makes them so incredibly difficult to keep.

For size reference, these are in a nyquil cup (medicine measure)

brylecc1989 · 07-13-12, 01:48 PM

I love these snakes. Found one in the woods near my house in NEPA and he let me handle him for a while.

OP-put him back. Go buy a captive bred corn snake for 20 bucks

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 01:54 PM

i actually just watched him eat an earthworm now. so im happy he is eating! i am really really thinking of getting a corn snake, i love them. its just i dont have a big enough enclosure for one unless they can be in a plastic tote? and im only 15 and very into reptiles, but my mom hates snakes... and wont let me get a big one.. so thats another problem..

infernalis · 07-13-12, 01:55 PM

Here is one of the litters feeding....

infernalis · 07-13-12, 01:57 PM

Get a garter snake, they will eat worms, fish or pinkie mice.

They are a lot easier to keep in captivity and simpler to feed.

And you are right, if you look at that group shot of the babies, you can see one eating a worm.

infernalis · 07-13-12, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReptileRy

i actually just watched him eat an earthworm now. so im happy he is eating! i am really really thinking of getting a corn snake, i love them. its just i dont have a big enough enclosure for one unless they can be in a plastic tote? and im only 15 and very into reptiles, but my mom hates snakes... and wont let me get a big one.. so thats another problem..

Then a corn may not be for you, depending on what mom considers big...

My adult corn is 4 feet long and hammers down mice like a champ.

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 02:04 PM

i want a garter snake.. but i cant find them anywhere... no pet stores around here sell them.. or even outside haha. she thinks my red belly is big.. im thinking she is against the more thick snakes then long.. but ive been looking at ball pythons or corn snakes.. but i want a good handeling snake and a easy starter snake.

Wildside · 07-13-12, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReptileRy

i want a garter snake.. but i cant find them anywhere... no pet stores around here sell them.. or even outside haha. she thinks my red belly is big.. im thinking she is against the more thick snakes then long.. but ive been looking at ball pythons or corn snakes.. but i want a good handeling snake and a easy starter snake.

Here's a little tip for you... The fact that mom knows you have a red-belly and is ok with it means she can be talked into an actual pet and possibly even be converted into a snake person. I will tell you right now women are more easily turned on to snakes than men. What you need to do is educate Mom on snakes that make good pets. People around here can answer any question you or she has and if you have a Pet Shop nearby that knows what they're talking about they can probably help you talk her into it as well. In the meantime put the little guy back and walk away.

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

Here's a little tip for you... The fact that mom knows you have a red-belly and is ok with it means she can be talked into an actual pet and possibly even be converted into a snake person. I will tell you right now women are more easily turned on to snakes than men. What you need to do is educate Mom on snakes that make good pets. People around here can answer any question you or she has and if you have a Pet Shop nearby that knows what they're talking about they can probably help you talk her into it as well. In the meantime put the little guy back and walk away.

well today i wondered off to petco with her to get food for my gecko and anole. and i tried showing her the ball pythons there. they are all only $40 on sale but she said no way in hell im getting another one. so im kinda SOL on this.. i tried everything with no avail... but she said i can get a bearded dragon.. so im kinda pissed... shes just scared of snakes..

Wildside · 07-13-12, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReptileRy

well today i wondered off to petco with her to get food for my gecko and anole. and i tried showing her the ball pythons there. they are all only $40 on sale but she said no way in hell im getting another one. so im kinda SOL on this.. i tried everything with no avail... but she said i can get a bearded dragon.. so im kinda pissed... shes just scared of snakes..

One more reason to let the red-belly go...

ReptileRy · 07-13-12, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

One more reason to let the red-belly go...

im going to.. i just really wish i could get one before that. she told me this is the last one im getting until i move out.