I'm not a reptile expert and the maximum time we have kept a snake(ringneck) was about a week.
We just caught a green snake(or rough green snake as we know it as). I looked up it's food and it said it needed crickets dusted with calcium and supplements. They can also eat caterpillars, grasshoppers and worms(wax, meal and earth)
My question is: would it be okay to not dust the crickets or does the snake really need it?
Extra information...it's in a 10 gallon(I heard it was an okay size) it is also about 1 1/2-2 feet long(so it's not a baby) and I have a saucer of water in there as well as a forked stick(needs water and loves climbing)
Thanks
EJ
2007-11-11 11:04:05 · 5 answers · asked by E J 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Also, any extra info on this snake will be appreciated!=)
2007-11-11 11:04:33 · update #1
the ringneck snake was let go erm, in late spring I think...if I snake died in our possesion we wouldn't consider keeping one again=(
2007-11-11 12:01:57 · update #2
I'm happy to hear you let the first snake go back into the wild. It is very important that if you purchase captive bred reptiles if you wish to keep some as pets. I recommend you return this snake as well.
As for your question; reptiles who eat insects and/or fruits and vegetables need calcium supplements or they will die. Reptiles who eat mice, rats, birds, or other reptiles don't usually need the supplement because they ingest the bones as well as everything else.
A powdered calcium supplement can be bought at any pet store or reptile shop and is fairly inexpensive should you ever purchase a pet that requires one.
2007-11-13 12:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by LadyBuel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're kind of nervous and more difficult to keep.. If you have any problems at all with it not eating, release it right away as they are pretty sensitive and die easily. Definitely dust and gut load the crickets with special food you can pick up in a pet store. They also need a UV light on every day as they are diurnal and need sunlight..
An easier choice of snake would be a captive bred cornsnake, preferably one that has feeding records that show it as been a good eater.. They also don't need the UV light as they are nocturnal, though they do still need a UTH (Under Tank Heater)
You would also need about a 20 gallon long for a cornsnake..
2007-11-11 12:36:58 · answer #2 · answered by Unknown.... 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure it has plenty of places to hide; they are very shy snakes and don't like being handled.
They do need a heat light, and I think they benefit from UVB lighting, although it has not beed proven.
You really should dust the crickets.
They tend to be riddled with parasites and aren't the best "pet" snakes and aren't the best display animals because they really like to hide.
2007-11-11 11:08:59 · answer #3 · answered by kittenslayer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please let it go back where it belongs.
Wild caught snakes don't last long in captivity, that's why you haven't had one for longer than a week. They can survive just fine without your help.
How would you feel to have the world at your fingertips, then suddenly placed in a small box to live for the rest of your life?
Do the right thing and good luck.
2007-11-11 11:44:11 · answer #4 · answered by ms_lotr_freak 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is better to just feed the crickets with a good powdered (not gel) gutload and make sure they have a shallow bowl of water.
http://www.kakastavihusky.com/snake_faq.htm
http://members.aol.com/TheWyvernsLair/snakes/green.html
2007-11-11 12:11:21 · answer #5 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋