What kind of snake am I?

Lucara

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I think its a corn snake but most snakes look a like to me :8o .


 

ThomasH

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That is most likely a Pantherophis obsoletus ssp. Is it caught locally or did you catch it?
TBH
 

Lucara

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caught it in the back yard.
How are they to keep? I'm trying to convince my parents to let me keep a snake so I'm trying to find a baby corn snake and give them the heartfelt "I was saving it from the cold weather story" or something.
 

ThomasH

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Saving it from a winter in Florida is very unrealistic. They are as easy to keep as a corn snake. Keep it just as a corn with consideration it will grow a foot or two more. Right now I'm guessing it is a yellow but I could still be wrong.
TBH
 

Lucara

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Lol I know its unrealistic but I've wanted a snake for a while so if they let me keep this w/c one, I can actually go out and purchase one.

How are their temperments?
 

ThomasH

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They are very docile. Good eaters and calm. You should keep it. Say you saved it from a crow. I have observed many crows attack small colubrids.
TBH
 

Lucara

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Hehe well I sure will try to keep it! =D

Thank you for all of your help!
 

GiantVinegaroon

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100% positive it's Elaphe obsoleta spiloides, or a gray rat snake. It's as easy to keep as any other North American rat snake.

For care, simply provide flooring, water, a hide spot, and a heat pad under one end of the enclosure(I'd use a different enclosure besides the plastic on it's in now, perhaps a glass aquarium?) and it will be happy. Feed one appropriately sized mouse once a week.

As for handling, allow the snake 2 or 3 weeks to adjust to it's new home and make sure it's feeding regularly before you handle it.

Oh yea, and make sure the lid is ALWAYS locked when the snake is inside! Good luck!
 
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crpy

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its a P.o. quadrivittata= yellow rat baby
 

GiantVinegaroon

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its a P.o. quadrivittata= yellow rat baby
Oh darn it i think you're right. i don't think spiloides's range reaches Orlando.

Either way, care's pretty much the same as I described earlier, regardless of subspecies.
 

Lucara

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Okay well I'm going to try to keep it. Here is my setup for it. I have zero experience with snakes although I've done as much research as I can (I'm still looking things up).
How does this look? Its a bit larger than its supposed to be but I'm trying not to spend much money on it since I might not be able to keep it. Hes got a hide, a water dish, and hide bowl to soak in (although he'll prolly just use the waterdish).
Hes on aspen bedding and I bought a pair of long tongs and a container with frozen mice pinkies.
How long should i wait before I try to feed him? Since hes never had frozen food..this may be pointless, any ideas on how to wean him over?





Trying to grab a pic before he runs for the hills lol...
 

GiantVinegaroon

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Setup looks fine. Wait about a week before feeding him. Once he starts eating on a regular basis(like after he's eaten 2 or 3 times), you can handle him.

Weaning him over to thawed out pinkies shouldn't be a daunting task. First thing's first: thaw the mouse out lol. This is done by putting it in a cup of warm water for 15 minutes. Not trying to insult your intelligence or anything, but since you say you have no experience with snakes, I'm going to go into as much detail as possible.

When the mouse is thawed out, dry it with a paper towel. BE SURE TO NOT TOUCH IT WITH YOUR HANDS AFTER IT'S THAWED. Take it out of the cup with the tongs then place on a paper towel and dry it.

Next, pick up the mouse with the tongs and take it to the snake cage. Simply wiggle the mouse and the snake should take care of the rest. If the snake doesn't go straight for it while it's wiggling, do this: wiggle it close to the snake's head(do not touch the head of the snake, or it will be too ticked off to eat) and quickly pull it away. Keep repeating this maneuver until the snake grabs it.

If that doesn't work, then try leaving the mouse in the cage overnight. Place it on top of the hide so it doesn't get covered in aspen.
 

clam1991

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grey rat i had one a couple weeks ago i let it go

they are grumpy as anything IME;)
 

Lucara

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Well my mom found the aspen bedding and asked what it was for so I had to show her the snake. After pushing the word baby around in the most pathetic tone of voice she said I could keep it as long as it never gets out (obviously). YAY!! SO, I think I might go out and get myself a nice corn snake from a breeder now and let the rat snake go (after I get the corn snake).
 

clam1991

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Well my mom found the aspen bedding and asked what it was for so I had to show her the snake. After pushing the word baby around in the most pathetic tone of voice she said I could keep it as long as it never gets out (obviously). YAY!! SO, I think I might go out and get myself a nice corn snake from a breeder now and let the rat snake go (after I get the corn snake).
thats how ya do it
im sure she doesnt pay enough attention to notice and if she does tell her it changes colors;)
 

crpy

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nope , yellows can have that color i raised three wc that were that exact color

Lucara lives in Central Fl, not grey rat fo sho
 

Lucara

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Lol I dont think she knows enough about snakes to really object to the color change idea. I'm so happy! Snakes are the only animals shes banned me from getting =D. Yay for me!
 

crpy

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Lol I dont think she knows enough about snakes to really object to the color change idea. I'm so happy! Snakes are the only animals shes banned me from getting =D. Yay for me!
lol, woo hoo
 

equuskat

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Def. a yellow rat. I raised one from that size. They're lovely when they grow up.
 
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