Our story, need a little help.

[Hankj]

Well. I live in Ohio and it has been quite cold except for New Year's Eve. Temps reached into the 60s. Then there was a storm and temps dropped to about the 40s. I was taking a ride on the bike path new years day where I nearly ran over a snake. I dodged it and stopped to look at it. It was very lethargic and it has an injury on its left eye. I can not see an eye and there is/was some blood it looked like. I didn't think it was going to survive laying on the cold nearly freezing pavement so I finished my water bottle and put him in it. He survived the 7 mile bike ride or so home and I made some arrangements for it. I'm thinking he came out of hibernation with the heat wave, is that safe to say?

I now have him in a ten gallon tank with a hiding place, a sun lamp, one of those turf looking bottoms and a water bowl. He is much more active and seems to be fine. I'd say he is about 20 inches long. I have been trying to do some reading up on them to help it. I caught it a worm and he paid no attention to it. I went out to the pet store and bought a pinkie mouse born today and he hasn't touched it.

Should I be worried? Should I try different food? Is there some other information I should know about a snake just coming out of hibernation?

Thanks for any help!

[EasternGirl]

Well, I'm new here too so other members will be able to provide more info for you. The people on here are great so you should have a lot of help! First, you need to try to identify what type of snake it is. Is it a garter? If you could take a picture and post it...someone can tell you what kind it is. When I rescued my snake, Selena, she was just a baby..stuck in a spider web in my basement. It took her three weeks to eat. Snakes need time to adjust to captivity, and they can go a long time with out eating. You need to know what kind of snake it is...he/she might not like worms or pinkies. You can try cutting up the worm and putting it on a little dish. It sounds like the set-up you have is good for now...people on here can tell you the ideal set-up. There are caresheets on here that you can read if it is a garter...I'm not sure how to post the link...I'll look for you and see if I can figure it out...if not, I'm sure someone else will post it for you later today. You'll get a lot of help on here...you came to the right place. My Selena has been with me for a month and a half now and she is doing great. Good luck to you and welcome!

[EasternGirl]

Here you go: Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

Also, if you click on the articles tab at the top of this page, there are many different articles on caring for snakes.

[guidofatherof5]

Marnie has given you some good advice.
A photo.(I.D. is important to know food sources)
Time to adjust.
Just provide a warm area, a hide or two, water and the food should come eventually.
Glad you took the time to help the little scrub.
Take the time to read the care sheet.

Welcome to the forum.

[infernalis]

http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg

[ConcinusMan]

Welcome. You came to the right place. Like they already said, it takes time for the snake to adjust. In my experience it usually takes 2-4 weeks for a snake to start eating after coming out of winter rest. Keep him warm (80-85 degrees) and offer food every few days. He'll come around and eat eventually.

Definitely read the care sheet. The info in there can help you to make him comfortable. A comfortable snake will want to eat but don't worry if it takes a couple of weeks.

[gregmonsta]

Greetings :D

[Hankj]

Okay thanks guys! I was just worried because it wasn't eating! I'm certain it is a garter snake. They are very common around here. It is either a common or a Butler's, most likely a common garter.

When I got home from work last night I put his head by the snake and I woke up this morning and he was cuddling around it hahaha, it was cute. It wasn't a a death grip, just a little cuddle. I have removed the mouse and just caught him another worm before I read this. I'll remove shortly if he doesn't take it.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Hankj :)

[Hankj]

That's the other side of the country! ;)