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RedSidedSPR
04-28-2011, 02:43 PM
Do any of you have any experience in keeping water snakes? I've always loved water snakes, and have always wanted to keep one. Of course, this is more of a future project. My new garter I'm getting (will be my second) comes first. But at some point I'd like to keep a banded water snake. Maybe even this year. (along with another garter. Garter first)
BLUESIRTALIS
04-28-2011, 02:58 PM
Water snakes are awesome snakes to keep. I use to keep bandeds, midlands, and red mangrove waters. They have pretty much the same requirements as garters except for they need bigger cages because they get bigger. When you get ready for one let me know because i might be able to give you one.
infernalis
04-28-2011, 04:20 PM
Yes I keep one....

Here he is eating a pinky...

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/aquapink.jpg

Looking up at me while I take pictures....

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/aqua1.jpg

Aqua is such a cool snake...

http://www.thamfriends.com/photos/aqua2.jpg

Check out this awesome belly pattern....

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/aqua/aqua.jpg

me holding him...

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/aqua/hand.jpg

Looking up at me from the water "bowl"

http://www.danceswithreptiles.com/cool/aqua.jpg
ssssnakeluvr
04-28-2011, 04:38 PM
what he said... =) I have a trio of hypo Florida banded waters.... a little nippier than my garters, but fun snakes!
andycul
04-28-2011, 04:42 PM
Aqua sure is a great looking snake :D that belly pattern is stunning :D
RedSidedSPR
04-28-2011, 06:39 PM
Aqua is awesome. What kind?


Water snakes are awesome snakes to keep. I use to keep bandeds, midlands, and red mangrove waters. They have pretty much the same requirements as garters except for they need bigger cages because they get bigger. When you get ready for one let me know because i might be able to give you one.

Awesome. Will do.


a little nippier than my garters, but fun snakes!

That's why I like 'em:D
aSnakeLovinBabe
04-28-2011, 08:40 PM
ahhhh water snakes... the LOVE OF MY LIFE! I love water snakes. I produced an amazing clutch of cherry red florida's the year before last. The ones Don ha are from that clutch! Water snakes are awesome. I have water snakes that prefer to eat mice over fish!!!!
mb90078
04-28-2011, 09:48 PM
I'm in the same boat as the OP. Something I'd like to get into down the road, but I think I'd like to expand my garter collection first. Maybe in the meantime, some nice water morphs will come into the trade.
BLUESIRTALIS
04-29-2011, 05:42 AM
Aqua is a Northern water snake.
RedSidedSPR
04-29-2011, 10:21 AM
ahhhh water snakes... the LOVE OF MY LIFE! I love water snakes. I produced an amazing clutch of cherry red florida's the year before last. The ones Don ha are from that clutch! Water snakes are awesome. I have water snakes that prefer to eat mice over fish!!!!

That's rare.


Aqua is a Northern water snake.

I've caught lots of those, don't know why i didn't recognize. Now I feel stupid. Duh. (that is what i thought, though, so i was right) Whatever. Nice snake.
BLUESIRTALIS
04-29-2011, 10:24 AM
Don't beat yourself up your just use to the ones you catch being all mud stained.
RedSidedSPR
04-29-2011, 11:43 AM
No, I'm used to the ones I catch being a bright orange. Different phase. But I was kidding. I was just surprised I forgot what Northern looked like.

So what do you think the best water snake as a pet is? I like banded water snakes, but I don't know how any are as pets... Banded water snakes stay smaller than most... not good or bad, but it might allow me to buy a 20gal instead of 40gal... right? Not worried about that, though.
BLUESIRTALIS
04-29-2011, 12:14 PM
I like the midland waters. Seems like less people are working with them though. What about red belly water snakes they are a nice water snake to keep.
RedSidedSPR
04-29-2011, 02:01 PM
I like midlands. Caught them before too. I'll get what I feel like, not asking you to decide for me, but do you recommend those two over Banded water snakes (my personal favorite at the moment)?
BLUESIRTALIS
04-29-2011, 02:22 PM
No i think they are all nice snakes. The cool thing with the bandeds is that there is some awesome morphs available. They all pretty much have the same needs and make great pets.
RdubSnider
04-29-2011, 02:49 PM
I'd like to see a pic of the hypo cherry water snake. Sounds nice
Chondro788
04-29-2011, 04:32 PM
Here's my hypo, his color is a little better in person, and he seems to be gaining red as he grows. He is extremely tame and takes pinks every time I feed him.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/chondro788/DSCN0221.jpg
RedSidedSPR
04-29-2011, 04:34 PM
Then I will probably end up getting a banded water snake. Not cause of the morphs. When I'm only getting one of something I tend to like normals a little better. I like normal Red Sided garters a lot better than albinos, but if i were getting more red sided garters I would get an albino. So unless the morphs are somewhat subtle, I don't care for them at the moment. I will look in to them though.
Where can I find water snakes. (besides you, although I'll keep you in mind) Again this is a future project so I'm in no hurry. And considering you're pretty local to me, I may get it from you if you have any. I like getting my snakes from local sources, because shipping is so freakin' high.
RedSidedSPR
04-29-2011, 04:35 PM
Wait that's northern water snake? Now see, THAT is a morph I like. I was thinking you guys meant albino etc. AWESOME
ssssnakeluvr
04-29-2011, 04:37 PM
here's an old pic of one of mine

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/snakes_031.jpg
RdubSnider
04-29-2011, 05:23 PM
I do love the look of that hypo. If you ever breed apair keep me in mind for a 1.1. Very nice
aSnakeLovinBabe
04-29-2011, 05:57 PM
no no, those are florida banded water snakes. All water snakes make a great pet, but the bandeds will tame down the easiest and are one of the easiest to get eating mice. I am almost positive you don't have northern's down in NC. Possibly midlands.... no northerns though. The red ones you see people commonly call them hypos or "super hypos", but they are actually called Cherry. Hypos and "super hypos" are a light tan color. I put super in quotation marks because there is no known true super form of a hypo, just some hypos come out lighter than others. One of my favorite species is nerodia taxispilota. The brown water snake... they are really cool, have a large head than makes them look like a python! A beautiful light tan color with chocolate squares down their back.
ssssnakeluvr
04-29-2011, 06:44 PM
here's updated pics of my waters.... fat little snakes!!!

close up
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/DSCF5008.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/DSCF5012.JPG

all 3

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/DSCF5014.JPG

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/DSCF5013.JPG

this girl is getting ready to shed

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//504/medium/DSCF5017.JPG
guidofatherof5
04-29-2011, 06:50 PM
Fat, great looking snakes.:D
aSnakeLovinBabe
04-29-2011, 07:23 PM
awwww!!! wookit my wittle CHUBBIES!!! haha... I could not resist!!!
ssssnakeluvr
04-29-2011, 08:02 PM
thats an understatement!! cut back on feed as the big female was really getting obese.... she was taking pinky mice, but quit. they eat a little trout every week and are doing good. the male (the little dark one) is a snot! bit me about 5 times after crawling off the board while taking photos. the 2 girls are very mellow. in fact, at the reptile expo here last October, Nikki set the big girl on top of one of the cages and left her there! she just laid there and barely moved. numerous people asked if it was a real snake!
RedSidedSPR
04-30-2011, 08:49 AM
They are fat.:D But awesome.


no no, those are florida banded water snakes. All water snakes make a great pet, but the bandeds will tame down the easiest and are one of the easiest to get eating mice. I am almost positive you don't have northern's down in NC. Possibly midlands.... no northerns though. The red ones you see people commonly call them hypos or "super hypos", but they are actually called Cherry. Hypos and "super hypos" are a light tan color. I put super in quotation marks because there is no known true super form of a hypo, just some hypos come out lighter than others. One of my favorite species is nerodia taxispilota. The brown water snake... they are really cool, have a large head than makes them look like a python! A beautiful light tan color with chocolate squares down their back.

Oh, I have 'em. That's all I ever find. Lots of Northerns at a river I herp at.
Here's a link. Proof in case you don't believe me.:D
Northern Watersnake - North Carolina (http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/snakes/Nersip/Ner_sip.html)
aSnakeLovinBabe
04-30-2011, 09:15 PM
Well there you have it! I had no idea they went that fat south. I found the most amazing female banded today at hamburg. She is just awesome.... She is a "normal" but has solid brick red flames where normally it would be brown. She is basically a red snake with black outlining.... Wait til you see her! I have never seen another like her!
RedSidedSPR
05-01-2011, 05:02 PM
sweet! Did you release it or keep it?
BLUESIRTALIS
05-02-2011, 06:07 AM
We actually have northerns and midlands here in south carolina, but it's hard to say which ones are true because there are so many integrades of northern and midlands. I caught a female northern a couple of years back that i kept for a pet and she dropped tons of babies all looked northern except for about six that looked like midlands.
RedSidedSPR
05-02-2011, 11:45 AM
I don't think I have found many midlands... but it is hard to tell sometimes...
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-02-2011, 01:42 PM
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/06c9e010.jpg


I will breed this female to my holdback cherry male. The results will be really nice cherries, and more "normals" that look just like her!
BLUESIRTALIS
05-02-2011, 01:51 PM
Wow!!! She is sweet.
RedSidedSPR
05-02-2011, 06:18 PM
Awesome!! "Normals" I can't believe that is normal. I want one!! Have you ever seen any others like it? That looks like some kinda designer morph!!! What's with the yellows?!?! I LOVE IT!!
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-02-2011, 06:49 PM
I have seen many that have a bit of red on their sides... But this one is an altogether new look for me! Even what I previously thought to be a high red is blown out of the water by her. The yellow speckling is pretty normal. Normally a snake with her pattern would have tan where all that red is. She just happens to be an incredibly exceptional specimen and I am going to put her to good use! I would still consider her a normal, but only because she's not some kind of mutation or anything... I can guarantee you though that she will pass on this look to her young! Maybe I can go nuts with it and start calling them FLAMES!!! lol! I have a female that has the same pattern as her, but with tan. I will get a photo of them together. Can you believe I only paid $30 for this beauty? The guy truly did not value what he had nearly enough... I had to buy her brother too, for an additional $20, he is a typical cherry. Didn't really want him but the guy begged me to take him... LOL! This female right here put a whole new spark into my step with water snakes. I need an albino male and I need one now!
RdubSnider
05-02-2011, 08:42 PM
That's truly a wonderful looking girl. 30 bucks. Unbeatable
RedSidedSPR
05-03-2011, 10:06 AM
I'd buy her for more than that. I like the subtle look of the real normals, but this is awesome.
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-03-2011, 10:17 AM
To give you an idea... I paid $75 for a female that has this same pattern, but tan instead of red. This snake is easily worth $150... and more as a full grown adult.
RedSidedSPR
05-03-2011, 02:45 PM
You'll be able to make some jack off of those babies. How many do water snakes usually have? 'bout the same as garters?
ConcinusMan
05-04-2011, 08:47 AM
ahhhh water snakes... the LOVE OF MY LIFE! I love water snakes. I produced an amazing clutch of cherry red florida's the year before last. The ones Don ha are from that clutch! Water snakes are awesome. I have water snakes that prefer to eat mice over fish!!!!

Why not post some of the pics here Shannon? Those water snakes of yours are stunners. Oops, I see you did post one but I remember some others that are very pretty.
ConcinusMan
05-04-2011, 08:50 AM
Well there you have it! I had no idea they went that fat south.

Yeah, I think they get fat no matter where they live.:p
BLUESIRTALIS
05-04-2011, 08:54 AM
Haha good eye Richard.
RedSidedSPR
05-04-2011, 03:16 PM
Nice one Richard.:D I saw it, just didn't say anything. Almost didn't know what she was talking about. Had to read it twice.
RedSidedSPR
05-04-2011, 03:17 PM
I'm going water snake hunting this week. Neuse river. Always has some good northerns.
BLUESIRTALIS
05-05-2011, 07:16 AM
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/aSnakeLovinBabe/06c9e010.jpg


I will breed this female to my holdback cherry male. The results will be really nice cherries, and more "normals" that look just like her!

I bet she would throw some awesome albinos.;)
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-05-2011, 08:06 AM
I bet she would throw some awesome albinos.;)
My plans are in that direction!!! :D
BLUESIRTALIS
05-05-2011, 08:17 AM
My plans are in that direction!!! :D

Looking forward to them.
RedSidedSPR
05-05-2011, 10:09 AM
Me too, never seen an albino water snake
BLUESIRTALIS
05-05-2011, 10:14 AM
There is some floating around just not that common. I think shannon actually has one.
RedSidedSPR
05-05-2011, 02:11 PM
There is some floating around just not that common. I think shannon actually has one.

don't doubt it.
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-05-2011, 04:19 PM
don't doubt it.

I did, but I didn't have it for long. The guy I bought it from shipped it to me with no insulation and a hand warmer as a heat pack. in winter. The entire box was icy cold to the touch and I fear the worse. I pulled out what I thought was a snake-cicle and immediately emailed the guy. Then I saw his tail wiggle and I revived him. He ended up with a respiratory infection which he recovered from but he was never all "there". He didn't last very long, and the guy kept promising to replace my snake but he never did....
ConcinusMan
05-05-2011, 04:23 PM
Just for the record folks, never use those hand warmers for shipping snakes for cryin' out loud. They consume every bit of oxygen in the container, and they get too hot. effective insulation, even if your snake gets cold, is more important. They don't have to be kept warm, they just have to be kept from sudden and extreme temperature changes, and kept from freezing or overheating.
BLUESIRTALIS
05-06-2011, 05:53 AM
Sorry to hear it shannon he was a nice snake.
RedSidedSPR
05-06-2011, 02:51 PM
Sorry to hear it.

Hey guys, how are red bellied water snakes as pets? Anyone keep them?
amattel
05-06-2011, 08:34 PM
Well there you have it! I had no idea they went that fat south. I found the most amazing female banded today at hamburg. She is just awesome.... She is a "normal" but has solid brick red flames where normally it would be brown. She is basically a red snake with black outlining.... Wait til you see her! I have never seen another like her!

I went through the whole show once myself and again with friends and I didn't see her. You must have snatched her early :)
RedSidedSPR
05-07-2011, 06:30 PM
Alright, so far I like the Bandeds and Northerns, as pets the most. Probably get one of them.
But how 'bout Red Bellied water snakes? Always liked them. Any one keep them?
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-08-2011, 04:38 PM
Alright, so far I like the Bandeds and Northerns, as pets the most. Probably get one of them.
But how 'bout Red Bellied water snakes? Always liked them. Any one keep them?


I have... the same as the banded and the northerns!!! My vote is for taxisplilota.
RedSidedSPR
05-09-2011, 11:01 AM
Nice. I've always liked 'em. I'll look into them as well.

What's "taxisplilota."? Nothing came up when I googled it, but I'm guessing it's a water snake? Haven't mastered all the scientific names (all the garters and lots more but...)
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-09-2011, 11:08 AM
Brown water snake, nerodia taxispilota! They look like little pythons... awesome snakes!
RedSidedSPR
05-09-2011, 11:12 AM
Yeah they are awesome. You think those are the best?

Don't know why it didn't come up when I googled. I searched "nerodia taxispilota" guessing it was a water snake.

Oh I see. You SPELLED IT WRONG UP THERE! "taxisplilota."
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-09-2011, 11:38 AM
LOL.... that is a pretty hard word to type quickly if you are not paying attention!
RedSidedSPR
05-09-2011, 01:30 PM
I know, I just copied and pasted:D

So where is the best place to buy them? I can't find many breeders. Kingsnake has some...
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-09-2011, 09:02 PM
Give it a month or two, and captive born babies will start being available. The ones that are really pale tan with dark markings are AWESOME!!! They also get fairly large... a female can surpass 4 feet! A truly awesome, underrated animal. Babies temperaments are not as nice as some of the others, but all water snakes will tame down if you just have patience.
RedSidedSPR
05-10-2011, 08:41 AM
Well, that'll be awhile 'cause I'm buying one of Scotts new babies VERY soon!! Probably one of the Anerys.
ConcinusMan
05-10-2011, 08:42 AM
Anery what?
aSnakeLovinBabe
05-10-2011, 09:04 AM
Red sideds
BLUESIRTALIS
06-13-2011, 10:14 AM
1917

This is a pair of pale hypo banded water snakes that i just got in they belong to a friend of mine now. Very nice snakes just thought i would share even though the pics don't do them no justice.
RedSidedSPR
06-13-2011, 10:38 AM
Awesome! I love those. Thanks for the pics.
ConcinusMan
06-13-2011, 12:34 PM
Yeah they are awesome. You think those are the best?

Don't know why it didn't come up when I googled. I searched "nerodia taxispilota" guessing it was a water snake.

Oh I see. You SPELLED IT WRONG UP THERE! "taxisplilota."

Now wait a second. If you really did use google, it should have corrected the misspelling for you and gave you results based on the correct spelling.
RedSidedSPR
06-13-2011, 02:14 PM
I know, but didnt' i thought that was weird too.

It did this time (i just tried..) I don't know, it was weird. Maybe it was me, who knows. I just know I copied her text, entered it in google (or yahoo or whatever it was) and nothing came up, not even the "did you mean..." correction thing.