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Beginner!!!

Z

ZerFL

New member
Hi,
I need all the info possible.
Does anyone know if my gray snake is a cornsnake? I was told it was. My son caught him. He has not eaten in two weeks even tho I have tryed different ways of feeding it. Thank you you all help.
ZerFL
 

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...

I have read a lot about problems acclimating wild-caught snakes to captivity, especially where feeding is concerned. How big is the new guy, have you tried lizard scenting?
 
Well any WC snake will need to be brought to the vet. It WILL have internal parasites and possible external parasites. Stress of captivity could cause both to skyrocket.

So first things first. A fecal and meds for parasites....cheap probably less than 100 bucks.

Then try lizard scenting or live rodents.

bmm
 
Just a guess, but I think that it may be a young black racer.

ccpriapus02.jpg

Here's a pic of a baby racer. Yours would be a little older, since it looks dark. But the pattern looks the same.

If that's what it is, I would release it. They don't make very good pets (they usually don't calm down or acclimate to captivity).
 
ZerFL,

Can you post a pic of just the snake your son caught? Also, I would separate the two snakes until a) you're sure what kins it is, and b) you're sure it is freed from parasites. Then< I would probably make plans to go ahead and keep them separate in the future, but that's a whole different discussion, I suppose.

;)
 
Oh man! I didn't even notice two snakes in the photo!

Darin is sooooo right. Now that they are together BOTH snakes will need fecals and parasite meds. The new one has passed whatever he has to your other snake, that is not only a bad thing but can be very dangerous for your other snake. It's too late now really, but seperate them and take BOTH in for fecals a.s.a.p.

BMM
 
Beginner

Hi All,
Thank you all for all your help.
The two snakes have been together for 3 days. Does that mean the odds of the bought snake is now high for having parasites? How do you find a snake vet?
We originally thought the wild snake was a black racer because they are known to be in this region.
I'm attaching 1 pic on this and will send another. The pictures I took are in different lighting.
Thanks again for everyone's help.
ZerFL
 

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That is not a cornsnake, just going by the massive eyes and the patternless head. Racers are known to be extremely nervous, so would not make good pets.
 
Honestly, I can't say for sure your captive snake has caught parasites already, but the chances are high....honestly. Not being a worry wart here. :D

A fecal test is fairly cheap and the meds are also affordable and easy to give to the snakes. Depending on where you are located a vet that deals with exotics/reptiles is easy to find and fecals are a simple procedure. Even if you only; find a cat and dog vet, they can do fecals most likely.

I'd let that racer go, and take your captive snake in for a fecal. Or just bring the sample in without the snake.

bmm
 
Friendly

Hi,
Still don't know what it is but it doesn't seem nervous and loves my son. My son tryed to release him Sunday and the snake stayed on my son's lap. When he put him down in the grass and brush he crawled back up on my son. My son started crying so much and brought him back in.
ZerFL
 
ZerFL,

That is a black racer. They usually make horrible pets, because they are just plain mean and never acclimate well to captivity. If your son's snake is the exception that proves the rule, that's great! A buddy of mine also has an adult racer that is really mellow. He also has three that try to take your face off when you hold them! LOL

Regardless of whether you keep the racer for your boy, I would do two things: 1) Separate them into their own containers (snakes are loners, even within their species, and diff. species don't play well with others!) and 2) get fecal tests run for both animals.

I don't know where you are in FL, but herp vets are fairly common there. Even so, any qualified vet ought to be able to do a fecal exam for your animals for relatively cheap costs.
 
"Are you saying that racers bite?"

Ohhhh . . .no more than your average . . .let's see . . .Great White Shark or Nile Crocodile!!!!

:D
 
ZerFL,

Something that no one has mentioned about housing these to snakes together, is that the black racer will definetly make a meal out of a cornsnake. I would say that you have just been lucky so far. Here is a picture of one of my adults.
 

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Released Racer

I appreciate everyone's comments and help.
I'm very proud of my son. After reading all your replies he did the right thing and released Shadow (the black racer). He's only 10 but I guess he's really starting to grow up! LOL
I'm sure I will have more questions in the future.
Thanks again everyone. Have a nice evening.
ZerFL
 
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