striped keelback or garter?

[Skittles]

I am VERY new to snakes...
This is my second snake, we'll not talk about what happened to the first one. I hope to have more success with this guy and am excited about him or her. I went to petco and bought a "garter snake", it had no scientific name or common name for the species. I'm now trying to find out what species it is, and I no longer think it's even a garter.:rolleyes: silly petco

It looks exactly like the "striped keelback" in this thread
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/4247-shannons-snakes-photo-thread.html

http://i44.tinypic.com/30vkhft.jpg
he's 20 inches long, not a whole lot thicker than a pencil. He's got thick black stripes down the sides and one thinner one on top, the rest of the top is brown. The bottom has a really striking, bold pattern of black and white stripes. He's a very good lookin' snake ;)

I'm concerned that I researched garters and got a different kind of snake. He spends a lot of time climbing and being in the branches, like an arboreal species. I've had him for just 3 days, and he drinks from his water bowl, but doesn't hang out in it like I thought a garter would.
What do you think? If he's a keelback, what are the differences in care? He's VERY nice and chill, and I hold him a lot, like people say garters are.

[Stefan-A]

Welcome aboard. :)

As you undoubtedly have noticed, we've had a few members here with Xenochrophis species (Xenochrophis vittatus and Xenochrophis piscator melanzostus) and there have been a few threads about them. You might want to check out that second species as well, because they too are striped. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/general-talk/1260-help-id.html

There's not a whole lot of information about their care, but unlike most garters, they are a tropical species, which might mean that they require slightly higher temperatures and higher humidity. Apart from that, they are fairly similar. Brumation probably needs to be handled differently.

Garters don't necessarily hang out in the water bowl, either, only a handful of species are even semi-aquatic.

[drache]

welcome to the forum
that does look like a xenochrophis vittatus - striped keelback or indonesian garter
I kept mine exactly like garters and they did fine

[infernalis]

Nice looking Keelback.

http://i44.tinypic.com/30vkhft.jpg

One thing to note, These are almost certainly wild caught, and many are infected with parasites.

If you can swing it, take a poo sample to a vet and have it checked for worms and such.

Welcome to the forum, and here's wishing you success with your new friend.

[guidofatherof5]

Great having you on the forum. Their care and welfare is the top concern for the forum members. Many caring people here to assist. Welcome.

[reptile3]

Welcome back...:)

[Skittles]

thanks everyone! I work at a vet, I'll bring in a fecal sample today. Would a fecal sample cover any parasites I would need to worry about? Also, what's the best way to deworm a snake?
can I assume it's an adult?


edited:
I got him wednesday, offered him thawed pinky friday and he ignored it. I waited until today, then put another in there, with a hole in it's head, and he's leaving it alone too. The store said they definitely fed them frozen pinkies. Should I try scenting it with fish or something? The kid at the store might have been wrong...or he's just not hungry? Can I scent a pinky with tuna juice?

[Stefan-A]

I think you'll have better luck with fish. If that's not an option, you can try scenting the pinkies.

[drache]

I'd say two days is not quite enough to have him settle in and worry about food already
leave the poor dude alone for a few days - then offer him the pinky nicely warmed up in a place with some privacy
just because he didn't take them this time, doesn't mean he won't
and yes - they do tend to carry parasites

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thats a nice vittatus you have there! My female unexpectedly passed away a while back and I wish I could find more..... a couple tips... they really like fish and fish scented pinkies work fantastically, if it won't eat fish for you try a frog leg, and watch where you put your fingers because these snakes are rear fanged and you *could* have a negative reaction should you get bit. They get especially feisty at feeding time. They are incredibly great looking snakes though and I hope all goes well!!

If anyone knows where I may find keelbacks of any species let me know!!!

[Skittles]

Thanks very much all! Where could I buy a frog leg? Almost any frog I could find where I live would be poisonous, huge, and sleeping underground right now. I know I'm not supposed to feed goldfish because of parasites, so what live feeder fish are safe?

[infernalis]

The most widely used are guppies.

And goldfish are not necessarily bad due to parasites, rather an enzyme called thiaminase, it blocks thiamine absorption and causes vitamin deficiency.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

You can actually buy a great deal of snake food right at your local grocery store. The seafood section you can get strips of trout, salmon, tilapia... all which are safe to feed provided you make sure they are raw, unsalted, unseasoned, plain fish. It's even better if there is skin still on it. Most seafood sections will also have froglegs, if not, a seafood market in your area should have them.