Specific info about brown ribbon snake?

[Sydney]

I have what i am almost certain is a brown ribbon snake. I am having trouble uploading pics from my phone. I have it in a ten gallon and already had an escape, but i think i have all spots taped up. I reaf rabbit food is a good substrate? Hes quite small, maybe 16 inches. Can anyone give me diet specifics and or quirks for this species? Thanks!

[Stefan-A]

It does appear to be a ribbon snake of some kind, but there's no such thing as a "brown ribbon snake". Got a location?

I hope there's no tape on the inside of the enclosure or any of the sticky side exposed to the snake. At best, it's harmful, at worst, lethal.

I haven't heard of anyone using rabbit food as substrate.

Check our care sheet: Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet

[kibakiba]

Do not *ever* use tape in or around the enclosure. You could end up injuring or killing your snake.

[guidofatherof5]

Welcome to the forum.
I'm thinking/guessing Eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) Some other/better photos would be very helpful and as Stefan has indicated your location would really help.
Here is a link to the care sheet and a link to the "Welcome Lounge". Be sure to introduce yourself there so we can give you an official welcome.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet
Welcome Lounge

[Selkielass]

Toclarify the strong reactions, stickum from tape or glue traps can rip true tongues ad even skin right off garters. & ribbons& as you've seen theyy can get their ñoses into tiny places.

Alfalfa pellets would work for bedding, but i'd imagine. Pelleted horse bedding ( which my friend uses as rabbit bedding) is cheaper. Most here use aspen, reptibark, carefresh, cocohusk or paper substrate.
Welcome to the 'Tham-ily'!

[thamneil]

Looks like a peninsula ribbon to me (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii). KEEP TAPE AWAY FROM SNAKES! Tape is the last thing I would use. I have seen snakes get stuck and come out with serious damage!

Im guessing your rabbit food substrate is made up of some kind of hay pellet. That is usually a decent choice. Ribbons tend to be frog and fish feeders in the wild. Try starting with some live thiaminase free fish. Guppies, platys, and mollies are all good choices. Feeder goldfish and minnows will work in an emergency but should not be used as a staple as they contain varying amounts of this enzyme. He can slowly be weaned onto pinkies and frozen fish.

Other then that, ribbons are great snakes! They tend to be a bit jumpy and can take some time to calm down. Let us know how the little guy does. Welcome aboard!

[Sydney]

First off, there was no "exposed adhesive" as i taped the lid down, not inside. That was an emergency measure since i was not expecting a snake. I also read about the rabbit food on the caresheet from this site just as a heads up, when someone makes their first post, treating them politely might be a better approach. Thank you for the answers that supplued info. I am not new to reptiles, just this species. This snake was found in the dumpster of a petstore where he was tossed out like trash.

I am in michigan, but seeing as this was a petstore snake, he could be from anywhere. I have him in a tight cage with a filtered pool and he seems more active. I have an appointment with my exotics vet today. Thank you for diet information.

[kibakiba]

Even if there isn't any exposed tape, they can find a way. A lot of members have lost snakes due to tape that they were 100% sure the snake wouldn't get to.

Also, we are being polite. We care about every snake that people post about, and we were simply worrying for the snakes well being. As I said, a lot of snakes have died from tape.

[Stefan-A]

just as a heads up, when someone makes their first post, treating them politely might be a better approach.

I think you were treated quite politely, but comments like that are liable to get things started off on the wrong foot. Let's not have that.

[chris-uk]

I've not read anything impolite, just concern about something you mentioned in your post that rang an alarm bell with everyone who will all be relieved to know that the tape isn't a risk. Anyway, welcome to the forum its a great source of information about Thamnophis species. Let us know how you get on with the rabbit food substrate, I've not read about using it but most of us constantly review the bedding we use - always look for the "perfect" bedding.

The thing I just read is that this little guy was found dumped behind a petshop. If a shop in the UK did that and were reported to the licensing authority I think they'd be prosecuted.