We caught this snake, Orlando FL any identity ideas? My 2 little girls really want to try & keep it.?

Question

We,ve caught this kind before in the area. It's only like 3 or four inches, like the others we caught before. I've been looking at pictures and reading blogs and questions like mine with no luck.

It's kinda got a yellowish brown ring at the neck & brownish black skin with faint patterns depending on the light, no pattern or color on the belly. It resembles small Red Bellied snakes we've caught before except it has brown shades. We're guessing it's a baby, don't know though. Maybe you do, I posted pics on photobucket:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/thedrunkenmaster/CIMG3372.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/thedrunkenmaster/CIMG3381.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/thedrunkenmaster/CIMG3371.jpg

Thanks, Sincerely http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i130/thedrunkenmaster/Signature03_07-1.jpg

Answer 1

My guess is a garter snake- but thats just my guess!

Answer 2

I'm not sure, but my boyfriend really knows snakes/reptiles, he managed livestock at a large reptile wholesaler, besides being involved in pets his whole life.  I'll check back here tomorrow and if no one has an answer, I'll copy a picture and ask him, I'll be back here around the same time tomorrow.  I'll star so I don't lose this.........maybe a baby Ring Neck or something???

Answer 3

Not to be a downer, but it's typically illegal to keep a wild animal as a pet.  I'm sure you could find a pet snake for a reasonable price on PetFinder or a similiar website, possibly one that has already been socialized and needs a home.

Answer 4

You aren't going to get a better answer than the one provided by Earthling. Please take his advice.

Your job as a parent is to teach your children right from wrong with your words and your actions.

Do the right thing. It is the best gift you could give your daughters.

Answer 5

I am not sure what kind of snake it is, but I know that you should never keep an animal that you find in the wild. First, and most obvious, it may be poisionous, second, it may be carrying diseases, also, even if it is not either of the first two, you don't know how to care for it. Different types of snakes need very different types of care. You should buy a snake at a pet store if you really want one. You will know exactly what kind you are getting, how big it will get, what you need to feed it, etc. If you are still intent on keeping this exact snake, call around to exotic vets in your area and make an appointment, make sure you tell them the situation and I think you will find that they will give you similar advice.

Answer 6

It's a hatchling ringneck.  Please let it go, it will NOT survive in captivity!  Wild snakes don't thrive as captives, especially tiny babies!  Please please PLEASE let it go unless you want to teach your little girls about DEATH in the near future.

It's also illegal to catch and keep native species as pets.

If you want a pet snake for your girls, go buy a nice, captive bred, healthy pet snake.

Answer 7

I cant tell what it is, but I'm pretty sure that the lumpy area behind his head contains venom glands. Just to be safe, I would release him and go to the store to buy your daughters a safe, healthy snake. I would recommend a corn snake.

Answer 8

Why not work with your daughters to find the snake on this guide:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-...

that sounds like a fun learning experience.

Answer 9

Looks like a Ring neck  did you find it in under brush  and it won't get much bigger  eats crickets & bugs my boy's play with em  don't forget to wash your hands after handling all animals

Answer 10

You should NEVER keep any snake or other animal you catch from the WILD it is people like you that cause the extinction of animals in the wild if every one went out and caught just one snake there would be none left for the next generation of people and by taking this out of the wild for your children you just taught them it is okay to decimate the environment for ever.

Answer 11

It is a ring neck

Answer 12

It's a newborn Florida Brown Snake,and it's way too delicate to keep.They need very small insects,worms,and other invertebrates to eat,and need to be kept in a humid environment.Please let it go and get your girls a nice garter snake from a pet store.They make great,easy to care for pets.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhain/21334...

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetol...

Answer 13

I don't know what kind it is but I wouldn't recommend keeping it

unless you know exactly how to take care of it? It is a wild animal

and when it may bite your daughters. You never know? But I

wouldn't keep it!

Answer 14

It looks to me like a juvinile Eastern Coachwip Snake. They are non-venomouse and abundant in your area.

Answer 15

It's a brown snake. There are three subspecis in Florida. I grew up and spent most of my life in Florida (Sarasota). I have handled and kept thousands of Florida snakes. Sorry to say though, like ringnecks and other really small species, brown snakes do not take well to captivity. Please trust me on this, let it go. You have to maintain very precise temperature and humidity levels, and it's practically impossible to get them to eat. They are very prone to dehydration as well.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetol...

http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/stovi...

Here's a newborn, not a hatchling (they are live bearers), that looks just like yours. Ringnecks lay eggs.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi...

List of Florida snakes. Click on any of the names to see the snake images.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetol...

Here are some pics of ringnecks for comparison.

http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/diapu...

I recommend researching various snakes and buying from a breeder or a pet store that specializes in snakes. You can handle any of the specimens that you might consider buying. They should also provide records and a care sheet for any given specimen, if they do not, don't purchase from them. If you need help picking out a good beginner snake, feel free to contact me and I will correspond with you. You can go through the list of Florida snakes for starters as well. If the girls find one that appeals to them, you can do a search on care and call around to see what is available in Orlando.

Here is my ultimate recommendation, reptile expos. These are located close enough to you, and some of the dates will give you time to research probable snakes.

Aug. 23-24

Daytona Beach, FL

National Reptile Breeders Expo, Ocean Center, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. Info: Wayne Hill, [phone]; [e-mail]

Sept. 27-28

Tampa, FL

Tampa Reptile Mania, Florida State Fairgrounds, Enterntainment Hall, 4800 Hwy. 301 N. Info: Alex Russell, [phone]

Oct. 11-12

Orlando, FL

Repticon Orlando Show, Central FL Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. Info: Billy Healy, [phone]; [e-mail]