Posted by Sue on October 15, 2003

Q: Two days ago my 7 yr old son caught a very small redbelly snake and wants to keep it as a pet. It is about 4-6 inches long, and looks like a baby (it is the size of an average earth worm!). I have read your answers to others on the subject that advise to capture a snake in the spring as they are difficult to care for in the winter. However, I have already bought him a small "reptile" home (clear plastic enclosure with a vented top with an opening to place food in, etc) and he really wants to keep the snake.

I have read conflicting info on the best "lining" for the cage- I purchased aquarium gravel and have it in there now, with a shallow lid for a water dish and a few rocks and wood pieces for the snake to hide under. I have also read that paper toweling on the cage floor works well as it is easier to keep clean and the snakes dont get too damp that way. We put several really tiny earthworms in with him, as well as a slug, but he didnt eat any of them, so upon advice I found on another site, I chopped up a slug into teeny pieces, placed it on waxed paper and put it in the cage in front of the snake. However,the snake does not seem interested in it, and crawled around the cage a while poking around but ignored the chopped slug bits! I placed the wax paper under a woodchip propped up by a rock and the snake is under there now, but I think he just went in there to curl up. (the earthworms are still in there too but have burrowed to the bottom of the gravel I think) Can you advise me on the best cage bottom surface, and feeding, etc. of this young snake? I dont want him to die, and will advise my son to let him loose again if you think he will probably not make it in captivity!

Thanks,

Sue

A: Snakes brought into homes at this time of the year are gearing up for hibernation so once in a warm house, their body is "confused". What so often happens is that the snake has readied itself for hibernation but is now too warm. It may use up its fat reserves long before it gets its appetite and that spells death. Keep in mind too that snakes eat live food although they can be trained to feed on dead animals. Cut up bits of slug or earthworm may not be recognized as food to your snake. Unless experienced with raising snakes, this is a poor time of the year to begin and you're likely to have a big disappointment.

I'm not surprised that your snake isn't eating if for no other reason than it is in a new, unnatural environment. Even under the best of conditions and times, a snake may take days, maybe weeks before it will accept food. Remember too, snakes are ectotherms (cold-blooded) and don't necessarily feed daily. Paper towels do work well even though they don't look as nice as they'll make keeping your snake clean, much easier. Sorry I can't be more encouraging about keeping the snake but springtime will be a much better time to get started with this animal.

John Wiessinger ( October 15, 2003)