My New Ribbon Snake! (Unidentified)

[NickB]

Sorry for the bad photos I didn't realise until after I put it in it's new enclosure to chill out that I was shooting on the wrong mode :( On the bright side I think I love it already, I put it in it's new enclosure and it hasn't stopped moving! It's basking under the UV :) Any guesses to species appreciated, the flash washed out the two dots on the head on the close up shot so bare that in mind.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6188_zpsd6e8f1a1.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6188_zpsd6e8f1a1.jpg.html)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6189_zpscffbaa4b.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6189_zpscffbaa4b.jpg.html)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6190_zps00870d93.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6190_zps00870d93.jpg.html)






(http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6121_zpsa0a22d59.jpg.html)

[NickB]

It's enclosure. Planted with a bioactive substrate and UV lighting. He's going to get lost in it! 3ft x 18 inches x 18 inches.
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6121_zpsa0a22d59.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6121_zpsa0a22d59.jpg.html)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6123_zps645f775f.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6123_zps645f775f.jpg.html)

[Darlo]

Nick, it's Owen off RFUK. Loving the viv mate and the ribbon. I kept one many moons ago and boy it was lively so I'm sure it'll make great ue of the space.

[NickB]

Nick, it's Owen off RFUK. Loving the viv mate and the ribbon. I kept one many moons ago and boy it was lively so I'm sure it'll make great ue of the space.

Owen? You're ringing lots of bells but I just can't place you hahahaha sorry. What's your username on RFUK?

[guidofatherof5]

Good looking setup Nick. Sweet Ribbon. Where's the water dish?

[NickB]

Good looking setup Nick. Sweet Ribbon. Where's the water dish?

Wasn't in there for this photo it ruins the naturalistic look :( Do you recommend a large water dish for these snakes or do they do fine with a smaller bowl?

[Foxrun402]

Probably best to use a larger one even if they don't use it to soak it will amp the humidity of the enclosure! I love that setup and that ribbon looks sweet! Looking forward to these updates! :D

[NickB]

Probably best to use a larger one even if they don't use it to soak it will amp the humidity of the enclosure! I love that setup and that ribbon looks sweet! Looking forward to these updates! :D

Thank you. My understanding was that these snakes did well at room humidity? Besides being planted I have to water the plants (which are potted) daily so humidity is a little above room. There seems to be a bit of a lack of info on these snakes on the net. I've also read somewhere they should be fed every 2 days, is this true? Or is the normal 4 - 7 days suitable?

[Foxrun402]

I have not done much research on that species myself, mainly just Sirtalis Parietalis and Radix for now. I have heard that when feeding night-crawlers they can be fed sooner then if you feed them say fish filet (from a fresh fish market) or pinkies... Usually on fish/pinkies I would feed on every 5th day leaving a 4 day gap which would be feeding twice weekly but with enough of a gap she has time to digest and rid herself of the last meal. Over feeding can be a problem and obesity is hard for a snake to overcome if they aren't very active.

I wouldn't rely on this too much though, a second opinion would be nice.

I wonder though, most ribbons I have seen seem to be very thin? Is this the case with majority of them?

[NickB]

I have not done much research on that species myself, mainly just Sirtalis Parietalis and Radix for now. I have heard that when feeding night-crawlers they can be fed sooner then if you feed them say fish filet (from a fresh fish market) or pinkies... Usually on fish/pinkies I would feed on every 5th day leaving a 4 day gap which would be feeding twice weekly but with enough of a gap she has time to digest and rid herself of the last meal. Over feeding can be a problem and obesity is hard for a snake to overcome if they aren't very active.

I wouldn't rely on this too much though, a second opinion would be nice.

I wonder though, most ribbons I have seen seem to be very thin? Is this the case with majority of them?

They are a small/thin bodied species for sure. I wanted to check with you guys that this is a healthy snake and there are no obvious visual health issues, I haven't met enough Ribbons to know. They aren't too common over here in the U.K and when they do come over they're almost all CF or WC.

[guidofatherof5]

Wasn't in there for this photo it ruins the naturalistic look :( Do you recommend a large water dish for these snakes or do they do fine with a smaller bowl?

I would go with a large one. Ribbons can be very aquatic.

[NickB]

I would go with a large one. Ribbons can be very aquatic.

I'll switch some stuff around and get a nice big bowl in there :)

[guidofatherof5]

I'll switch some stuff around and get a nice big bowl in there :)

Your Ribbon will love you for that.;)

[NickB]

Your Ribbon will love you for that.;)

I hope so, it was surprisingly tame when I handled it between taking it out of it's transport box to put it into the vivarium. I was a little worried that this might be a sign of poor health however not long after I put him in the vivarium he went straight up to the highest basking point (35c, the vivarium has quite the thermal gradient) and basked there so hopefully he was just a little cold.

[NickB]

He/She has basked very close to the lighting (33-35c) since I've got him, odd this seems like a hot temperature and yet it seems his favourite place to hang out. I turn the heat off at nights. I saw it drinking condensation from the walls today! I was so happy, so cool to see and shows that he's drinking. Do these guys prefer to drink from condensation than a bowl? Or is mine just weird :P

[guidofatherof5]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.

[NickB]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.

Agreed, I'm working on it. It's not super humid in there, but I would like to reduce humidity a tad.

[guidofatherof5]

50% is a nice number

[Stefan-A]

Yours was just thirsty and found the water.
Too high a humidity can create problems for your snake. Scale rot, respiratory infections. Best to not have it too humid in there.
With poor ventilation, it's definitely a problem.

[NickB]

Advice taken, enclosure changed. Live plants removed (to reduce humidity), large water bowl added. Now I need to get some poop from this little guy for a faecal check!

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6198_zpse5e071f3.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6198_zpse5e071f3.jpg.html)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6199_zps10926542.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6199_zps10926542.jpg.html)

[NickB]

YES! IT ATE! I picked up some defrosted trout and sat very patiently slightly wobbling it after about 10 minutes it ate one piece, after being sat there for about 30 minutes I got it to eat 3 pieces then it came down had a drink from it's bowl and lost interest in food. So happy! :D

[guidofatherof5]

That's great.

[Foxrun402]

Always a good feeling! are you tong feeding? does it snatch the food? that makes feeding so fun :D

[NickB]

Always a good feeling! are you tong feeding? does it snatch the food? that makes feeding so fun :D

Way too shy to have much of a feeding response yet. The trick seems to be to stay out of sight as much as possible, move slowly keep the snake as calm as possible. Once the snake snaps out of flight mode and into curiosity it's a lot more likely to feed. After a lot of tongue flicking and building up of courage he/she took some fish off the tongs. Can't wait to try some more items worms, pinkies etc.

[guidofatherof5]

Way too shy to have much of a feeding response yet. The trick seems to be to stay out of sight as much as possible, move slowly keep the snake as calm as possible. Once the snake snaps out of flight mode and into curiosity it's a lot more likely to feed. After a lot of tongue flicking and building up of courage he/she took some fish off the tongs. Can't wait to try some more items worms, pinkies etc.

Fish scented worms and pinkies.;)

[NickB]

Fish scented worms and pinkies.;)

Of course :)

[NickB]

Yesterday I rehydrated it in a container with a bit of water for 10 minutes. It looks a bit healthier and accepted a pinky much faster today than on our first attempt at feeding trout.

[NickB]

Some new photos...

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6206_zps882c43ae.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6206_zps882c43ae.jpg.html)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6205_zps188c6ea1.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6205_zps188c6ea1.jpg.html)

[guidofatherof5]

Beautiful snake. Love ribbons.
Did I see in an earlier post that your snake is eating pinky parts?

[NickB]

Beautiful snake. Love ribbons.
Did I see in an earlier post that your snake is eating pinky parts?

He ate a full pinky scented with trout today :D Rather keenly too I should add. I don't think he's going to be any trouble feeding-wise!

[guidofatherof5]

That is great. He'll fill out nicely with that kind of eating.
Very happy to see him doing so well. Finally, he's getting some good care.;)

[Foxrun402]

He is awesome looking in those photos in the viv! Looks pretty happy in there as well :cool:

[NickB]

He is awesome looking in those photos in the viv! Looks pretty happy in there as well :cool:

He is awesome, and I think beautiful. I'm realising how underrated Ribbons are now.


That is great. He'll fill out nicely with that kind of eating.
Very happy to see him doing so well. Finally, he's getting some good care.;)

Not sure if you're referring to him having bad care during importation, if so I agree. Or if you're referring to when I first got him, I would say I care for all my snakes well. I've made adjustments but that's part of the learning process and unfortunately other than on this forum there isn't a great deal of information out there for care so I've had to ask various people yourself included.

You're right though he is doing well, I think he looks a lot better than when I first got him. Very happy :)

[guidofatherof5]

He is awesome, and I think beautiful. I'm realising how underrated Ribbons are now.



Not sure if you're referring to him having bad care during importation, if so I agree. Or if you're referring to when I first got him, I would say I care for all my snakes well. I've made adjustments but that's part of the learning process and unfortunately other than on this forum there isn't a great deal of information out there for care so I've had to ask various people yourself included.

You're right though he is doing well, I think he looks a lot better than when I first got him. Very happy :)


That is not what I was referring to. The importation and time before you got him is what I was referencing .
I never meant anything disparaging to you, quiet the opposite.;) Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[NickB]

That is not what I was referring to. The importation and time before you got him is what I was referencing .
I never meant anything disparaging to you, quiet the opposite.;) Sorry for any misunderstanding.

Not at all, I didn't mean to come across confrontational if I did it is likely due to being very tired and having hayfever! An awful combination. My apologies! Thank you. I think he's doing great. I would like to probe him so I don't have to keep writing him/her! How long would you normally allow them to settle in before doing something like this? I don't want to stress him out too much. The shop I bought him kindly from offered to order some more in any time I want them, such a shame there is no source of CB. Hopefully I will be able to change that one day! But lets not get ahead of ourselves eh!?

[guidofatherof5]

Post a well-lighted, focused under tail photo and we should be able to sex him/her without the need for probing.
He's a link to a thread to show you the kind of photos to post.

Hope you get feeling better soon.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/breeding/5069-sexing-pics.html

[NickB]

Post a well-lighted, focused under tail photo and we should be able to sex him/her without the need for probing.
He's a link to a thread to show you the kind of photos to post.

Hope you get feeling better soon.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/breeding/5069-sexing-pics.html

Great, I will do this when his pinky has digested a bit. I don't want to disturb him at the moment. Thanks Steve.

[NickB]

First shed with me, possibly first shed in captivity!

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_6288_zpsd4418c15.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_6288_zpsd4418c15.jpg.html)

[guidofatherof5]

That's a very good sign Nick.

[NickB]

That's a very good sign Nick.

Great! Can I ask why? Is it just because it shows they're growing? Really fond of the little guy wish they were more available in this country, I would like to get a few more.

[guidofatherof5]

Good enclosure humidity would be one thing and a indication of the snakes overall(limited) health (systems working properly)
Just my opinion.

[Foxrun402]

Yes and Hopefully that was a nice full shed head to tail-tip with both eyecaps in place! Please make sure the little fella doesn't miss a scale. Any left behind shed can re-adhere itself to the snake becoming near impossible to get off until the next shed, and can cause infection under the retained shed (rare cases).

Also a shed should never look like this...
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o774/foxrun402/temporary_zpsc3310417.jpg (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/foxrun402/media/temporary_zpsc3310417.jpg.html)

I saw this at Petco I was horrified and wanted to steal this snake for its own good... That is a sign of something wrong.... Wether it be humidity.. not eating right... some form of illness... Something's wrong with that snake... and I asked them if they knew what was wrong and a Petco employee said: " He's fine he's just been there for too long thats why he is on sale..."

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o774/foxrun402/temporary_zps2bbfd7e5.jpg (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/foxrun402/media/temporary_zps2bbfd7e5.jpg.html)

Never believe them if they say that... I fear for that snakes life...

But yours looks awesome ! =D and judging by how I see that shed rolling off backwards... looks great ;)

[NickB]

Yes and Hopefully that was a nice full shed head to tail-tip with both eyecaps in place! Please make sure the little fella doesn't miss a scale. Any left behind shed can re-adhere itself to the snake becoming near impossible to get off until the next shed, and can cause infection under the retained shed (rare cases).

Also a shed should never look like this...
http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o774/foxrun402/temporary_zpsc3310417.jpg (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/foxrun402/media/temporary_zpsc3310417.jpg.html)

I saw this at Petco I was horrified and wanted to steal this snake for its own good... That is a sign of something wrong.... Wether it be humidity.. not eating right... some form of illness... Something's wrong with that snake... and I asked them if they knew what was wrong and a Petco employee said: " He's fine he's just been there for too long thats why he is on sale..."

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o774/foxrun402/temporary_zps2bbfd7e5.jpg (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/foxrun402/media/temporary_zps2bbfd7e5.jpg.html)

Never believe them if they say that... I fear for that snakes life...

But yours looks awesome ! =D and judging by how I see that shed rolling off backwards... looks great ;)

I know, I may have only a single thamnophis species but I have a relatively large collection of other snakes so have witnessed more sheds than I can remember lol. Brazilian Rainbow Boas require high humidity so that's where the shop will be going wrong. His shed all came off fine, eyecaps are definitely there.

[NickB]

Wow, I just came back to do a small report on how he/she's doing and saw those initial pictures. He/She looks MUCH better now, I'll have to take some photos when I get the chance. Feeding very well too and is actually quite confident if I put my hand down and sit it next to him he'll investigate it a bit although hasn't actually got on it yet but that's ok with me :)

[guidofatherof5]

Wow, I just came back to do a small report on how he/she's doing and saw those initial pictures. He/She looks MUCH better now, I'll have to take some photos when I get the chance. Feeding very well too and is actually quite confident if I put my hand down and sit it next to him he'll investigate it a bit although hasn't actually got on it yet but that's ok with me :)

Looking forward to the update photos.

[EasternGirl]

Nice ribbon you have there! Is it very skiddish? I know ribbons can be very skiddish. It looks like an eastern ribbon I think. As for the pet store snake pic...I get so angry when I go into pet stores and see the conditions they keep snakes in. Improper lighting, substrate, small enclosures, no hides, no dishes for soaking...and the worst is when they have crickets in the tank! I have gotten to the point in which I avoid the reptile area if I have to go in a pet store...I will either get in an argument with the employees or end up buying a bunch of snakes to save them.

[NickB]

Nice ribbon you have there! Is it very skiddish? I know ribbons can be very skiddish. It looks like an eastern ribbon I think. As for the pet store snake pic...I get so angry when I go into pet stores and see the conditions they keep snakes in. Improper lighting, substrate, small enclosures, no hides, no dishes for soaking...and the worst is when they have crickets in the tank! I have gotten to the point in which I avoid the reptile area if I have to go in a pet store...I will either get in an argument with the employees or end up buying a bunch of snakes to save them.

You're the first person to say sauritus, the general consensus has been from everyone that it's proximus proximus. That said they're a very difficult animal to identify. It was much more nervous when I first got it, it's calming down now and doesn't seem to freak out too much on sight of my hands. The only time it bolts is if I have had to pick it up which is only on two occasions I believe, and is understandable really.

[NickB]

Ok here are the update photos. Wow, he/she wasn't keen today think I took it a bit by surprise, very out of character he/she made a dart for the door leaped out the vivarium and got under the cabinet before I had a chance to do anything. Anyway I grabbed him as he shot out the other side and managed to take some photos, he calmed down once I had him in my hands.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_7195_zps5ce38363.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_7195_zps5ce38363.jpg.html)

Notice the lack of 'tenting' that was evident when I first got him/her.

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_7199_zps5ec5d5c2.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_7199_zps5ec5d5c2.jpg.html)

And here are some photos if anyone wants to attempt to sex it :)

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_7213_zpsd6428d5c.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_7213_zpsd6428d5c.jpg.html)

and just to show full tail length...

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i371/Nickbenger/IMG_7207_zpsce20bce5.jpg (http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Nickbenger/media/IMG_7207_zpsce20bce5.jpg.html)

[guidofatherof5]

She's beautiful and has filled out very nicely. You've done a good job with her.
I do have one concern and that is her vent/cloaca. Seems to be a little crusty or am I not seeing it correctly?

[NickB]

She's beautiful and has filled out very nicely. You've done a good job with her.
I do have one concern and that is her vent/cloaca. Seems to be a little crusty or am I not seeing it correctly?

Thank you. It's not that it's crusty, it's that she'd just musked and pooped on me hahaha. Are you taking a guess at female then?

[guidofatherof5]

I guess it would be a guess. I see a nice taper from the cloaca with no widening at all. I will admit I don't have a lot of experience with sexing ribbons but I'm confident she's a she.

*DISCLAIMER*

If I'm wrong then I say it's a male.:D

[NickB]

I guess it would be a guess. I see a nice taper from the cloaca with no widening at all. I will admit I don't have a lot of experience with sexing ribbons but I'm confident she's a she.

*DISCLAIMER*

If I'm wrong then I say it's a male.:D

Lol thanks Steve :)