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Is This A Baby Corn Snake?

B

Bernd

New member
The other day I heard a shriek coming from my basement. I went downstairs and found my wife standing on a chair. This baby snake had managed to somehow get into our house. He is about six inches long.

We have two opinions as to what he might be. One is a baby Corn Snake and the other is a baby Brown Water Snake. My son would really like to keep him as a pet, so it is important that we figure out what he is so that we can give him the proper food and environment. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bernd
We live in the Atlanta Georgia area.
 

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Looks like a baby Brown Water Snake to me. I caught one in my parents' garage a year or so ago, the markings looked similar, only mine was a bit more colorful.

Nasty tempered critters though. I took mine and turned it loose at a pond in the woods. =P

Pics of mine:

Pic 1

Pic 2
 
I think it looks like a water snake as well.

Either way you can not legal keep it as a pet. All native nonvenomous reptiles are protected in the state of GA. Please take a look at this link
Keeping Ga wildlife as pets

Please make sure you continue on to page two of this article to find a list of those that cannot be legally kept.
 
Yup, looks like a water snake to me as well. They do *not* have nice dispositions, especially when older. I had an adult one for a few short days as a kid... all I remember is it kept trying to bite & fling poo & musk :puke01:
 
He Ate A Minnow

The females in our house (wife and daughter) used to have a pet mouse. They cannot bear the thought of a animal in this house that eats mice, even dead frozen ones. So, in the hope that he is a water snake, we put a shallow bowl of water in his acquarium with two very small minnows. The snake ate one of the minnows last night.

My assumption is that if he was a Corn snake there is no way he would have eaten a minnow. Is that correct, and do we now have by the process of elimination a water snake?

Thanks to all of you who have responded. Once we know for sure what he is, we will address the issue of proper care, or how to proceed on the issue of bad temprement.

Bernd
 
That looks like a water snake. It certainly is possible that a hungry corn will eat a minnow. They like tuna scented mice when they are fussy eaters.
 
Bernd said:
The females in our house (wife and daughter) used to have a pet mouse. They cannot bear the thought of a animal in this house that eats mice, even dead frozen ones. So, in the hope that he is a water snake, we put a shallow bowl of water in his acquarium with two very small minnows. The snake ate one of the minnows last night.

My assumption is that if he was a Corn snake there is no way he would have eaten a minnow. Is that correct, and do we now have by the process of elimination a water snake?

Thanks to all of you who have responded. Once we know for sure what he is, we will address the issue of proper care, or how to proceed on the issue of bad temprement.

Bernd
Click to expand...

Its not a corn and once again its your decision but it is illegal to keep as a pet in the state of Ga.
 
I figured with it being the first post i should at least bring it up, and with the second talking about long term husbandry i would bring it up once more. I dont agree with the blanket type law in Ga either. But it is the law and i figured i would at least make Bernd aware. God forbid they need to take it to the vet and find out by being reported or by an excited Daughter telling her Sceince teacher and getting reported that way. There are still many species of reptiles that can be legally kept in GA. :shrugs:
 
cowboyman13 said:
Its not a corn and once again its your decision but it is illegal to keep as a pet in the state of Ga.
Click to expand...

What does it matter if it's illegal? Do you speed? I know I go 80 down I-75 where the speed limit is 70, so I'm doing something illegal too. It's not the end of the world if the guy keeps a water snake that he caught outside, goodness.
 
It is not a made decision yet

I have not decided to disregard the legalities. I just want to make sure that I know what kind of snake it is before we decide. Frankly, I feel kind of stuck. A snake that eats mice (even frozen ones), is just not going to happen in my house. So, one that eats minnows and crickets (we just bought two crickets to see what would happen) might be a happy compromize for my son who has read every snake book he could find at the library and could buy at the bookstore.

The legalities will certainly factor into the decision. But they may not carry the day. I don't drive 55 MPH on the highway either (if you know anything about Atlanta if you try that here, you will get run over).

Cheers,

Bernd
 
Joe please refer to the above post. I really dont care but like i said it being the first, and second post i figured Bernd may not be aware.

What he decides to do his is buisness.
 
Stick to fish, and it's 100% a water snake. If you want to keep it, I don't have a problem with it but remind yourself that water snakes are not nice critters. They will eventually need bigger fish, and snake poo that is comprised of fish absoutely stinks.

Why no mice? Is that no mice in the kitchen freezer? Ever thought about purchasing a small chest freezer, or a mini-fridge and turning it up to full blast cold? Turns it into a mini freezer. Works well.
 
cowboyman13 said:
Joe please refer to the above post. I really dont care but like i said it being the first, and second post i figured Bernd may not be aware.

What he decides to do his is buisness.
Click to expand...

I didn't see your post before I responded.

But I mean really, what in the hell is this guy supposed to keep in Georgia? They've outlawed every single native species, including corns. Sure, he could get another species of ratsnake or some python/boid, but certainly none of those are going to be eating fish.

Let me guess, garters are a native species in Ga and therefore are illegal to keep too, right?
 
Mice Were Pets Once In My House

My teenage daughter had a pet mouse once. She and her Mom (my wife) have drawn a line in the sand on the issue of snakes that eat mice. It is just not a battle that I am going to win (well I could win, but it would not be worth the price).

So this was starting to feel like a happy accident until legalities, bad temprament and fish poo came up.

I really do appreciate all of the insights. Between my nine year old son, and the two females in the house, I am the only one who can apply logic to the situation, so the information really helps.

Cheers,

Bernd
 
Bernd said:
My teenage daughter had a pet mouse once. She and her Mom (my wife) have drawn a line in the sand on the issue of snakes that eat mice. It is just not a battle that I am going to win (well I could win, but it would not be worth the price).

So this was starting to feel like a happy accident until legalities, bad temprament and fish poo came up.

I really do appreciate all of the insights. Between my nine year old son, and the two females in the house, I am the only one who can apply logic to the situation, so the information really helps.

Cheers,

Bernd
Click to expand...


I wish Georgia wasn't so stupid, Bernd. They outlaw basically every single type of non-venomous herp that is available. That certainly leaves you with crap for choices. Of course, you could always try to go the snake sausage route, I just have no idea how that would work.
 
I think its as silly as you do. And i am not saying that if i got tranferred back to Ga i wouldnt take all my corns with me. I most surely would. The Ga state DNR is not coming to your house to check. I know many people back home that have kings and other native species. I have even let my kids keep box turtles as pets found in the yard. Which is a no no in alot of states but i am sure allmost all of us have done in our lives.

Bernd, Joe i do not disagree with keeping it at all. Hell if it makes your little girl happy thats all that matters. Your just going to have very few places to turn for vet care if you ever needed it. I dont know the husbandry for a water snake but i have caught a few and they have a nasty little viscous bite and like to chew once clamped down. It'll draw a little blood and itch. Maybe scare the crap out of you the first few times it happens.
 
What about garters or rough green snakes? Those native too? If not, well, they are an option.

And I'll bet once that snake gets bigger and is biting everything that comes near it and is flinging fishy poo at your daughter and wife, they'll change their mind REAL quick. ;)
 
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