Banded Northern Water Snake

I have a 9 acre lake behind my house. I see Snakes DAILY out there. When they get close enough, I can see that so far, all there is is Banded northern water snakes. Well, I hvae been lucky enough to have thses snakes decide I am not a big scary human. They come up to bank all the time. So I can get REALLY close. I decided it would be neat to catch one. I did, after a few tries. It bit the glove I used to pick it up with, and even tried musking me. He/She settled down quickly. After a few mintues, I held it in one relaxed hand. I let him go. Back where it belongs.
But, If I decide I really like one- Could it be kept as a pet? What do they feed on? Is it easy to keep one? Has anyone ever tried it? And would I have to keep it in a water filled tank?

p.s- I will have to get pictures off my sisters camera. soon!

Well, number one it may be illegal for you to take a snake from the wild in your area. Number two, wild caught snakes sometimes never eat in captivity. And three, it could have parasites or other medical issues and an need a vet trip.

As far as care for those guys, I have no idea lol. I just thought I'd jump in and say that you and the snakes are better off if you buy captive bred specimens.

Ok, Thanks. I just wondered. They are easy to catch- and calm down alot.

Check your local regulations, but you can keep one in a rack set up as easily as you would a corn snake. I wouldnt suggest mixing a w/c in a rack with c/b snakes tho. Set up an aquarium just like you would for a corn, but with a waterdish a few live shiners vcan flop around in if he won't eat them dead. Fish filets, ones you catch or buy work...You can even try scenting dead mice with fish also. My fishing partner and I were lucky enough to watch a large adult drag an equally large eel onto shore, subdue it and eat it. Any water snake I ever had loved to eat...and hated being handled lol...You say they calm down for you? You must have the magic water snake touch. Babies were always easy to handle, but once the got some size to them they were hateful snakes. The ones on the Upper Chesapeake bay get pretty darn big, and would bite, poop, puke whatever it took

I used to catch water snakes in Florida, there was one that always stayed in the area where I went to get them and he was always calm.. even the first time I caught him when he was in blue... Never tried to bite or anything... I also caught a younger banded water snake that was the same way... and I had to reach into the sand where the little guy buried himself to get him...