Specific info about brown ribbon snake?

[Sydney]

I have what i am almost certain is a brown ribbon snake. I am having trouble uploading pics from my phone. I have it in a ten gallon and already had an escape, but i think i have all spots taped up. I reaf rabbit food is a good substrate? Hes quite small, maybe 16 inches. Can anyone give me diet specifics and or quirks for this species? Thanks!

[Stefan-A]

It does appear to be a ribbon snake of some kind, but there's no such thing as a "brown ribbon snake". Got a location?

I hope there's no tape on the inside of the enclosure or any of the sticky side exposed to the snake. At best, it's harmful, at worst, lethal.

I haven't heard of anyone using rabbit food as substrate.

Check our care sheet: Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[kibakiba]

Do not *ever* use tape in or around the enclosure. You could end up injuring or killing your snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
I'm thinking/guessing Eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) Some other/better photos would be very helpful and as Stefan has indicated your location would really help.
Here is a link to the care sheet and a link to the "Welcome Lounge". Be sure to introduce yourself there so we can give you an official welcome.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)
Welcome Lounge (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/welcome-lounge/)

[Selkielass]

Toclarify the strong reactions, stickum from tape or glue traps can rip true tongues ad even skin right off garters. & ribbons& as you've seen theyy can get their ñoses into tiny places.

Alfalfa pellets would work for bedding, but i'd imagine. Pelleted horse bedding ( which my friend uses as rabbit bedding) is cheaper. Most here use aspen, reptibark, carefresh, cocohusk or paper substrate.
Welcome to the 'Tham-ily'!

[thamneil]

Looks like a peninsula ribbon to me (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii). KEEP TAPE AWAY FROM SNAKES! Tape is the last thing I would use. I have seen snakes get stuck and come out with serious damage!

Im guessing your rabbit food substrate is made up of some kind of hay pellet. That is usually a decent choice. Ribbons tend to be frog and fish feeders in the wild. Try starting with some live thiaminase free fish. Guppies, platys, and mollies are all good choices. Feeder goldfish and minnows will work in an emergency but should not be used as a staple as they contain varying amounts of this enzyme. He can slowly be weaned onto pinkies and frozen fish.

Other then that, ribbons are great snakes! They tend to be a bit jumpy and can take some time to calm down. Let us know how the little guy does. Welcome aboard!

[Sydney]

First off, there was no "exposed adhesive" as i taped the lid down, not inside. That was an emergency measure since i was not expecting a snake. I also read about the rabbit food on the caresheet from this site :) just as a heads up, when someone makes their first post, treating them politely might be a better approach. Thank you for the answers that supplued info. I am not new to reptiles, just this species. This snake was found in the dumpster of a petstore where he was tossed out like trash.

I am in michigan, but seeing as this was a petstore snake, he could be from anywhere. I have him in a tight cage with a filtered pool and he seems more active. I have an appointment with my exotics vet today. Thank you for diet information.

[kibakiba]

Even if there isn't any exposed tape, they can find a way. A lot of members have lost snakes due to tape that they were 100% sure the snake wouldn't get to.

Also, we are being polite. We care about every snake that people post about, and we were simply worrying for the snakes well being. As I said, a lot of snakes have died from tape.

[Stefan-A]

just as a heads up, when someone makes their first post, treating them politely might be a better approach.
I think you were treated quite politely, but comments like that are liable to get things started off on the wrong foot. Let's not have that.

[chris-uk]

I've not read anything impolite, just concern about something you mentioned in your post that rang an alarm bell with everyone who will all be relieved to know that the tape isn't a risk. Anyway, welcome to the forum its a great source of information about Thamnophis species. Let us know how you get on with the rabbit food substrate, I've not read about using it but most of us constantly review the bedding we use - always look for the "perfect" bedding. :)

The thing I just read is that this little guy was found dumped behind a petshop. If a shop in the UK did that and were reported to the licensing authority I think they'd be prosecuted.

[kimbosaur]

I think that messages often get misinterpreted through text alone. I've definitely had my good deal of misinterpreted text and facebook messages because the tone of voice is lost. If you stick around, you'll see that the members here genuinely care about their animals and are more than willing to help newbies with simple questions. It may have seemed like a mini-attack about the tape thing, but it wasn't meant to come off that way. :)

[guidofatherof5]

I think that messages often get misinterpreted through text alone. I've definitely had my good deal of misinterpreted text and facebook messages because the tone of voice is lost. If you stick around, you'll see that the members here genuinely care about their animals and are more than willing to help newbies with simple questions. It may have seemed like a mini-attack about the tape thing, but it wasn't meant to come off that way. :)

Very well put.;)

[kueluck]

Sydney, I'm just happy that you are there for this little one. Hope all turns out well for you and your new companion. This site is really helpful and the members here absolutely LOVE their slithery friends. Hope to see updates on this one.

[Sydney]

Sorry I got irritated! It is in fact a Peninsula Ribbon snake, and I believe a young one. I now have him in a ten gallon with a cage carpet and a small heater under the tank. It warms the carpet just a bit. While he does spend time on the warm spot, he seems to enjoy draping himself over wood.
Screen lid that I put a book on. No escapes and no tape:p
The alfalfa pellets were a pain. He has not eaten which I expected, however I am picking up a few feeder guppies (not the toxic kind) tomorrow. I offered an earthworm and some "lake perch" I bought. No interest. My friend's snake took 3 weeks to eat.

I WAS going to find him a home, but hes so neat, I think he will stay! He will need a bigger tank since he is SO long. I have elaborate plans for a filtered waterfall and pool and a riverbank for him. We shall see. I have 5 daughters who are excited by him. We are currently raising toad tadpoles (they will NOT be with snake) and hope to keep a toad.

Should I get him a friend? Does it need to be the same species or would another species or garter be ok? Even my husband likes him, tho I have a snake in the living room and tadpoles in the kitchen. I just tell people that its science for the kids and then I seem less crazy!

[Sydney]

53485349

[guidofatherof5]

I believe garters are more comfortable when they are in with others. Like species would be best.
If not, make sure they are same sex as cross breeding is not a good thing.
The kind of environment/enclosure you are talking about is difficult to maintain and can create health issues for the snake.
Was the Perch frozen or fresh? Prepackaged/frozen fish can sometimes create problems for garters as some of the chemicals used in processing are suspected to be dangerous/deadly to garters. Members on this forum have lost snakes to this type of fish.
Now, it was never proven it was the above but I for one will never feed that type of fish to my snakes(I lost snakes)

[Sydney]

The perch was fresh, caught the day before from Lake Michigan. So the grocery said anyway. Its unlikely I will have that kind of terrarium, but its fun to think about :p. He seems very comfortable on the cage carpet and its easy to clean. How much bigger will he get? If i get the same species, will they breed? Assuming one is male and one is female? I don't really want babies.

[guidofatherof5]

Best to get the same sex. Garters are prolific little breeders.
Here's a link to a thread that will teach you and or show you what kind of photos to post so we can help sex your snake.
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/breeding/5069-sexing-pics.html
Ribbon can get rather long. I don't know much about your particular snake.

[d_virginiana]

If you get a male and a female, they will breed even if they aren't the same species. :p
One of the coolest things about garters/ribbons is that they're one of the few snake species that actually seem to enjoy being with other snakes. It's not a problem if they are housed alone though.

Were you hand or tong feeding? You can try putting worm or fish pieces into a small dish and leaving them until your snake settles in. It may feel safer eating alone until it gets used to you (then it will beg for food whenever you enter the room) :cool:

[kibakiba]

You have to keep in mind, if you do get him a buddy, be prepared to quarentine, and if he doesn't like the other snake, have a tank ready to separate them.

[NickB]

I think he got the idea about the tape... :P

[EasternGirl]

Hi Sydney and welcome to the forum! I just caught up on this thread. As other members have said...it is very hard to determine tone from text messages. I have been a member of this forum for a couple of years now...and I assure you the members on this forum are great people...the best people I have met in this world. I'm sure no one was trying to sound rude...we are all just very concerned for the health and well-being of snakes on here. Stick around...and you will make some wonderful friends. I'm so glad you rescued the little fellow! Please follow up on that...if the shop did dump the little guy in the trash, I would really love to see them prosecuted for that. Please notify the proper authorities as Chris suggested. Look forward to getting to know you!

[guidofatherof5]

I guess I missed the part about where your snake was found.
I too would like to thank you for giving it a home and caring for it.
A garter snake in the trash, what a terrible thing.