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mrodge · 02-20-05, 10:58 PM

hey guys im new

i dunno if i count as a meber yet tho
i still need to get a good snake, i just got a ribbon snake now, but i got some questions

i have a rock in my tank for it to hide under and i just got the snake yesterday, its under there now, will it stay under there for a long time, or is it just scared because it is new?

are they nocturnal?

are rosy reds the best food?

how ofter shoudl they be fed

is it bad to keep more than one in like a ten gallon, (deffinatley not for life)

sory for so many questions

HeatherRose · 02-20-05, 11:10 PM

Once you sign up, you're a member

You're stuck!

I don't know much about ribbon snakes but I can tell you that it's probably hiding because it's in a new environment. You should give it a week or two to adjust before you handle it or offer food.

Welcome to the site!!!

mrodge · 02-20-05, 11:11 PM

thanks

zero&stich · 02-20-05, 11:28 PM

Try a search on this site on ribbon or garter snake. Garters basically have close care requirements as ribbons.

mrodge · 02-20-05, 11:34 PM

haha im pretty sure there like the same thing
like a ribbon snake is a version of the garter

gargoyle · 02-21-05, 03:58 PM

Ribbons and Garters are distinctly different species but they do have similar requirements... large water bowl or semi aquatic habitat! not sure about the prey items, I've seen them take earthworms before but probably not the best captive feeder! depending on the size of the ribbon you may want to consider a slightly larger floor area for it than a 10Gal, these guys are quick and like the space to speed around! As far as I know and depending entirely on the exact species I think they are dirunal (day time) critters.....I'm not an expert on these guys, just what I've heard and seen but I hope it helps!

CamHanna · 02-21-05, 05:28 PM

Links:
Ribbon Snakes In Captivity
Garter Snake Care
Health Issues Related To Thiaminase
Fish Species That Do And Do Not Contain Thiaminase

Other posts I've made on ribbon snakes:

Quote:

Cam Hanna (modified slightly, posted here)
Here is a link to Jonathan Crowe's garter snake care sheet. The guy knows his stuff and, while I haven't read all of it, I can't help but believe it is good guide.

Jonathan presents mice as a nutritionally complete food for garters which I am unsure of (though I am by no means an expert). In the wild garters and most other natricines (water snakes, brown snakes, swamp snakes, queen snakes, earth snakes, grass snakes...) feed on fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Ribbon snakes are especially known to feed on fish and amphibians.

When ever I have kept garters I fed a diet of frogs, fish and worms, which worked well for me (as I've only kept them in the summer and prey availability was not an issue). Keep in mind that I have never kept any Thamnophis for more than three months before releasing it and as such I am certainly not as experienced or successful with them as Mr. Crowe.

As mentioned in the care page, thiaminase is a major concern when feeding fish. I have provided an article on mink and fox nutrition which lists some species of fish that contain thiaminase and some species that do not. I am sure you friend can find thiaminase free fish somewhere.

Good Luck
Cam

Quote:

Cam Hanna (posted here)
Ribbon snakes are primarily amphibian/fish eaters. They may take crickets but I'm not sure that they would be entirely healthy. I also wouldn't recommend meat (ie. pork, beef, chicken) from the grocery store as it will almost certainly not be eaten and is also quite different from the natural diet.

Some grocery stores sell smaller whole fish and, if they are small enough (doubtful), a ribbon snake may feed on those. Pet stores sell feeder guppies and rosy red minnows; those are likely the way to go. Some people feed their ribbons mice but not all ribbons will eat them. Also, mice are much fattier than fish and frogs and may cause liver problems among other things. If feeding fish, it is important that you feed only a limited amount of fish that contain thiaminase, if any at all. Here is a list of safe and thiaminase containing fish, http://books.nap.edu/books/03090332...4.html#pagetop.

Another popular option is to catch a bunch of minnows in the Summer and freeze them for the rest of the year. However wild minnows may have parasites. Guppies are very easy to breed.

Watchout for recently wild caught ribbon snakes. They will likely have parasites and don’t settle down easily.

Jonathan Crowe has a great ribbon snake article here, http://www.gartersnake.info/article...bout_ribb.phtml It is certainly worth the read.

Good Luck
Cam

Quote:

Cam Hanna (Posted Here)
You could also try scenting with a goldfish. The problem with feeding goldfish is that they, and all other members of the minnow family, contain thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 and causes problems with nerves and muscle coordination.

Jonathan Crowe has an article on thiaminase and other health issues here.

Here is a list of fish that do and do not contain thiaminase.

Hope this helped.

Cam

mrodge · 02-21-05, 10:37 PM

what about internal parasites, like lumps on the snake, i love snakes, but i dunno if id go to the vet to get surgery on it

HeatherRose · 02-21-05, 10:39 PM

Quote:

what about internal parasites, like lumps on the snake, i love snakes, but i dunno if id go to the vet to get surgery on it

Sorry, but then you shouldn't own any pets... sounds harsh, but when you take in an animal, it DEPENDS on you for proper care, and this means a vet trip if necessary. Not doing so is cruel and irresponsible.

mrodge · 02-22-05, 03:50 PM

true

mrodge · 02-22-05, 03:52 PM

[is there any other way to get rid of them
its a small ribbon snake i didnt think they really could even operate on him, well how much would it cost?

JVG · 02-22-05, 04:31 PM

shouldnt u of done all this research before u got the snake?

zero&stich · 02-22-05, 05:22 PM

Quote:

what about internal parasites, like lumps on the snake, i love snakes, but i dunno if id go to the vet to get surgery on it

Some people who deal with herps who's diet has the potencial of harboring internal paracites do treat their animals once a month. I guess worms might be a risk. Might want to look into Fenbendazole(*Panacur). It treats nematodes such as hook and roundworms. I guess Fenbendazole is also used as a horse de-wormer.

I don't know much on this treatment for nematodes because the animals I keep, their diet is not anoles, frogs, earthworms ect.

Just might want to keep it in mind. Also, not sure, but I believe ribbons can obtain the length of 3.5-5ft like a garter but more slender. So a 10g is fine for now since I'm assuming its young but you might be looking to upgrade in the future.

There has been much info thrown your way, I think its time to buckle down and do some reading. Good luck.

mrodge · 02-22-05, 05:34 PM

thanks
i am looking to get a much bigger tank

zero&stich · 02-22-05, 05:47 PM

A 4x2x2(lxwxh) should suffice. If I'm wrong someone can correct me. I think but not absolutly sure. but I think ribbons are semi-aboreal. Even though they are semi-aquatic. If I'm wrong someone can correct me if they are partially aboreal or not and the size of the cage.

I am by no means an expert but kept wild garters as a young kid before I knew better, lol.