A rescue, a sweetheart... and a potential emergency?

[katach]

If he wants to eat out of his water bowl, just put fish in there and splash the water a bit. Then you can slowly start putting other prey items in there with the fish and he'll likely eat what is in there. You can reduce the fish amount and increase the other food or you can just keep it varied (which is best).

[ProXimuS]

If he wants to eat out of his water bowl, just put fish in there and splash the water a bit. Then you can slowly start putting other prey items in there with the fish and he'll likely eat what is in there. You can reduce the fish amount and increase the other food or you can just keep it varied (which is best).

I have a Ribbon and he will only eat out of his waterbowl. He had just been on f/t(frozen/thawed) fish, but when I got him pinkies I figured I would feed them out of the water sicne they are not water animals(I had thawed it in the same cup of water as the fish so I figured it would be scented enough). But he passed it completely up, even checked it out, but had no interest. So I put it in his water, and he went and ate it immediately. So yours may be a little like mine

He has taken 3 fish(2 seperate occasions) out of my hand, but thats after 2 months of slowly working with him

[Didymus20X6]

A word of caution, Draco:

As a former resident of Georgia, I do know that GA has some pretty strict regulations about what species can be captured, kept, and traded in the state. For example, when I visit family, I have to leave my snakes at home because Eastern Garters are considered a protected species.

I'm just giving you a heads up because I know you only want what's best for the snake, and don't want you to get in any trouble for taking care of it. I don't know if there are any procedures, but maybe it's possible to get some sort of license on account of it being a rescued animal?

[Dracorex5]

Thank you for the warning! I will definatly look into it. I volunteer at a nature center nearby, so maybe they can tell me whats what. Though im not extremely worried about getting in trouble, as he isnt as exotic as some of the other animals here, but the precaution is still there! Ill ask my vet and my wildlife center if what I'm doing is out of sorts. Thanks!

[EasternGirl]

Wow...I didn't know that easterns were federally protected anywhere. They seem to be so abundant throughout the states. Interesting fact to know. I know that laws vary from state to state and can be vague and tricky. For example, in Delaware...keeping venomous snakes or any large snake such as a python or boa is illegal...although the stores sell them and many people keep them. The law also states that you can keep any local species of non-venomous snake...but species not native to the area are not allowed...which I guess technically could apply to some of my garters, since easterns are really the only native garter. But unless someone suddenly called the wildlife people and had someone come in my house who could identify specific species and subspecies of garters...I'm not too worried about it. The law states that non-native species are not to be brought in to the state...which I think this law exists because they do not want non-native species of snakes introduced into the wild.

[Dracorex5]

Yeah the laws seem to be very flexible honestly. Unneutered/unspayed ferrets are illegal in Georgia, yet pet stores sell them by the dozens. Really the regulations are just to discourage people from taking healthy things from the wild. People are scared of the law, and it helps keep the animals safe. But it is a true point, unless someone calls the police or you hang a sign up in your yard with a list of all your animals.... It shouldnt be a problem. My vet was thrille when i brought her a rat snake once with a torn out eye, because no one bothers to help out snakes or lizards around here! Respect the law, but sometimes bending is not so bad either. Now if you're catching alligators......

[Didymus20X6]

If it's any consolation, I've helped reptiles back home within the past few months. I removed a Florida Oak Rat Snake from the highway, so he wouldn't get run over. And later, I pulled a Gray Rat Snake from my late father's basement, and released him in the nearby woods; other people there probably would have just killed him.

[Didymus20X6]

Wow...I didn't know that easterns were federally protected anywhere. They seem to be so abundant throughout the states.

It's because of the way the Georgia regulations are worded. They are designed to protect all native GA species, not just those that are endangered. Pet stores aren't even allowed to carry corn snakes, garters, or anything native to GA.