Need some help

[JillFoster]

On a recent walk in the woods with her grandfather, my daughter found this snake. Since her brother recently got a corn snake, she wants to keep this one as hers. I don't have a problem with that, but I do have several questions.

First, what kind of snake is this? It was found in North Central PA. I thought some type of corn or rat snake, but not sure.

Second, We have had it for a few days and it has developed some type of sore near it's tail (see photo). What is this and how should it be treated?

Third, what is the best thing to try feeding it. It is very small (smaller than our baby corn, maybe pencil size in diameter and maybe 8 in long). We tried splitting a frozen pinkie, but no luck. What about tadpoles?

Lastly and probably most important, Is it even legal in PA for us to keep this snake? Thanks for all your help!

 

[Drizzt80]

First, what kind of snake is this? It was found in North Central PA. I thought some type of corn or rat snake, but not sure.

Eastern Milksnake I believe. Someone else can probably confirm that for me. Similar care as your cornsnake.

Second, We have had it for a few days and it has developed some type of sore near it's tail (see photo). What is this and how should it be treated?

Looks to me like it is due to shed soon. Wait for that shed and see if the "sore" clears. Looks like a bubble in the shed to me.

Third, what is the best thing to try feeding it. It is very small (smaller than our baby corn, maybe pencil size in diameter and maybe 8 in long). We tried splitting a frozen pinkie, but no luck. What about tadpoles?

Keep trying pinkies. Smaller the better. Live may be necessary. If it is due to shed that could be why it chose not to eat.

Lastly and probably most important, Is it even legal in PA for us to keep this snake? Thanks for all your help!

That I can't tell you for certain. I'd do a search or two on the PA DNR site for wildlife regulations. Someone else may be able to answer more definitively.

D80