Mike's Snake Rescue

Sirrius Black is growing!

2010-06-28T23:02:00.000-07:00

Sirrius was just a baby when I got him two years ago. He is getting pretty big now. He is one of my favorite snakes because he is so gentle. This one and Hermoine are the two snakes that I allow children to hold, they are so docile. Sirius has black, brown and green in his scaly skin. He is a very beautiful snake. If people could meet him and see how wonderful he really is, maybe they wouldn't be so quick to kill snakes like him when they encounter them. He is also one of the few snakes I have that my wife likes. She will even hold him. Hermoine also, but those are the only two. Ghosts are her thing. Snakes are mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Snake Numbers Declining Around The World

2010-06-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

WALLINGFORD, England, June 9 (UPI) -- British-led scientists say they have determined several global snake species have experienced a significant decline in populations.
The researchers, led by Chris Reading from Britain's Center for Ecology & Hydrology, said they examined long-term data collected between 1987 and 2009 in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Nigeria and Australia involving 17 snake populations in tropical and temperate climates and discovered declines in eight of 11 species.
The scientists noted snakes are top predators and any decline in their numbers might have serious consequences for many ecosystems.
"This is the first documented evidence from anywhere in the world that snake populations may be declining," Reading said. "Although we do not know the cause of these observed declines, we wish to alert snake ecologists to what appears to be happening and to stimulate further research."
The study is reported in the journal Biology Letters.
The question is, because this is snakes we are dealing with, will anyone care that they might disappear from the earth? I would.

ET Thinks she might have found Mrs. Blossom!

2010-05-08T08:06:00.000-07:00

ET sent me a picture of what she thinks is Mrs. Blossom. My only thought was "What a beautiful Black Rat Snake!" Keep them coming ET! The saga of Mr. And Mrs. Blossom will continue as you send me the pics!

Video Of Blossom, The Black Rat Snake

2010-05-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS0DfzBypbY

Remember Blossom, the Black Rat Snake? He visits a nice lady named Elaine in Southwest Ohio. She got some nice video of him and I am posting it on here for you to see. He is one big snake, but very gentle. She seems very close in the video and he just looks at her. Another perfect example of how snakes won't hurt you. They just want left alone. Blossom never once even offers to harm Elaine. Thanks Elaine for the great video!!! Blossom is a nice friend to have around the house!

Another Dropped Off Pup And It Pisses Me Off!

2010-04-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

This little guy is Echo. I found him wandering down at Grimms Bridge near Calcutta. He had on a blue camoflage collar. Echo is 4-5 months old and was just abandoned down there by some ass hole who had absolutely no regard for him at all. We pulled 16 ticks off of him as we cleaned him up. He was so scared and hungry. He is just a baby.
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16237726
Here is a link to see him. He is currently at the Columbiana County Dog Pound. I have 7 dogs already from other stupid ass holes dumping their dogs out around here. I would loved to have kept the little guy otherwise. The pound assures me that they have not put a dog down in over 6 years. I told them to call me if that ends up being his only option.
Please don't dump your unwanted pets out in the middle of nowhere. You leave them to fend for themselves against ticks and fleas, other animals like coyotes, and the chance of being hit by a car. If the area is remote enough, they face starvation. Don't be a stupid ass hole like Echo's former owner. Please take your pets that you don't want or can't keep to the shelter. It often does not cost to leave them, or if it does, the fee is usually small. Your pets are a part of your family. Don't just throw them away.

Dead Snake

2010-03-10T20:36:00.000-08:00

I ran into this video and thought I would share it. This snake is huge!!! Let me know what you think. I am still looking into what kind of snake it is. Possibly Anaconda. All I know is when I saw it, I had to put it on my blog. Enjoy.

Me and My Friends

2010-02-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

The winter months are cold and boring. I can't look for snakes outside so I spend a lot of time working with my rescues. I handle Ronald-The Mean Little Bastard, so he isn't so mean. I rest on my dog proof couch with Mike's Best Friends- Neecha the Rottweiler, Buster, my Snoopy, and a new little friend, Peeko.

I have also been giving a lot of my time to Harry the Boa. He is a really good snake. For all that his former owner kept him in a cage too small for him, he also seemed to be good to him otherwise. Harry has never offered to bite me, even once. That doesn't mean I would become irresponsible in handling him. He is a large boa and demands respect. You can see in the pic above where it takes my wife and I both to handle Harry. Yet another young lady has come to the house to conquer her fear of snakes. Brooke is helping me with Harry above, and she did a great job!

I get each of the snakes I have out of their enclosures several times a week and spend time handling them. The Mean Little Bastard is the only one that has ever bitten me, though that was a while ago. If you want a pleasant, easy to hold snake just follow two simple rules.

1. Never feed them in their cage. Get them out and feed them in a separate area, away from their living area.

2. Handle them on a regular basis. If need be, start out by wearing latex gloves when you hold them. If they bite you they get the taste of the latex glove and they don't like it. It does not take long for them to stop biting.

If you have any questions about snakes, please let me know. Leave a comment and I will do my best to get you an answer.

Pictures Sent In From Southern Ohio. Thanks ET!

2010-01-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

These pics were sent in from ET in Southern Ohio. This is a wild black snake that lives in her house. She has not seen it in a while, but there was time when this snake would come out while she sat on her porch and look in her coffee cup. She became concerned and started putting water out for "Blossom" to drink. Blossom never hurt her and never, ever offered to bite.

I wish every one was like this. Too often, a snake this size found in some one's home, gets killed. I am glad that this wonderful lady, Elaine, prefers to enjoy a new experience and make a new friend.

If you have a great snake story to tell or any other animal rescue, please let me know. Send pictures if you can and I will put it on my site. I appreciate the help to try to change how people think about my long slithery friends and all the other wild animals out there, too.

Ronald The Milksnake

2010-01-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

My wife calls him the mean little bastard. He does have attitude. His name is Ronald. He is a Pueblan Milksnake. He is about 7 months old right now. This is the only snake that has ever bitten me. And he meant business. He was just grinding his tiny teeth into my hand. Looking at it from his point of view, he was only defending himself. He didn't know me. Now he does, but it took over three months to get him settled down. He was also an owner surrender. He was infested with mites. That can take one to two months to get rid of, if you're lucky and quarantined your new snake properly in a completely seperate room.I am working on an article about Mites and will post it soon.

Anyway, meet Ronald finally.

Taking Care Of An Adult Red Tail Boa

2009-12-30T15:43:00.000-08:00

Harry has been here

for a month and a half now and he is
doing well. As I get to know him and handle him, I am finding he is very friendly. So far, he has not offered to bite, even once. He is impatient to get out of his far too small of a cage, but other than that, he is eating well and is healthy.

People do not realize when they purchase a little 14 - 22 inch snake at the pet store that happens to be a Red Tail Boa, for example, how big they get. The enclosure above I built for Jenny. She is now over 8 feet long and her cage has to be at least that long so she can stretch out. My whole body is in her cage with ample room to spare. Harry needs one nearly this large. Hopefully it will be completed by the end of January.

My message here is to remind you that if you are looking for a snake as a pet, keep in mind that snakes live to be at least 20 years old, and if you are in the market for a large snake, you have to have a lot of room for them to live and maintain a decent existence. Jenny and Harry will be taking up an entire room in my home when I am done with their enclosures. Make sure you are willing to make that kind of a commitment.

A Turkey Buzzard At My Door

2009-12-12T18:22:00.000-08:00

All week long we have seen an injured Turkey Buzzard in the field above our house. His wing seemed to be broken and he could not fly. There was not a lot we could do, though we attempted to lure him closer to the house. After 5 days, he finally did get closer. He was eating what he could from some bones we had remaining from Deer Season. Following the advice of a woman we managed to get a hold of from Alchemy Acres, we took a sheet out and, once we cornered him near the house, gently wrapped the sheet around him and brought him in.

He seemed cold and tired. I have never seen one this close. He was not as large as I thought he would be, and I was not surprised to find out he was only a baby. We took him to Birds In Flight Sanctuary Inc. It is operated by a very nice lady named Heather Merritt. They have a web site. http://www.birdsinflightsanctuary.com

They take in raptors of all types, including endangered species. Heather told us that this guy was about 4 months old. He still had down feathers on his head. After giving him an examination, she determined that he had a broken wing, probably suffered while still in the nest. Turkey Buzzards fly south for the winter, and sadly his parents had to leave him behind. The break in his wing is severe and Heather does not think he will fly, ever. However, there is still hope. She will be x-raying him on Monday to determine how bad his wing is. She said they may be able to use him for educational purposes. They can rehabilitate him, and socialize him to use to teach people about him and birds like him. I sure hope so.

Birds of Flight Sanctuary is a non profit organization and really needs donations. If you are interested, please check their web site out to see what you can do to help.

Some more on Harry the Boa

2009-11-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

Harry is about 6 foot long. His cage is 4'. He hates to be in it. He is very nicely tempered however. After a thorough going over, we discovered 4 contact burns from the reptile heating rock that was in his cage. We threw the rock away. His cage is so small for him that he couldn't get away from the too hot rock completely. That is the main reason that i don't condone in using hot rocks. Giving you an example, it would be like me or you using a hot water bottle and putting it on our belly in a snowstorm.

This is my step son Jon looking at Harry. It kind of gives the pic some scale and you get a better idea of how big this guy really is.

The markings on his belly look like dog tracks.

This is the extent of his ability to stretch out. He even has creases down the length of him from always being curled like a rope. This has been going on for him since he reached his full size. Harry is 14 years old so you can imagine how many years he suffered.

We also have Jenny who is 8 feet long. We actually built a nice enclosure for her that encompasses half of a room. My wife is also not happy about that. :) But she handles it the best she can. Harry's former owner asked if we were going to breed the two snakes. The answer to that is a profound NO. Jenny and Harry are here because they are so big that no one wants them and obviously lack of dedication, commitment and proper husbandry. They start out as cute little charmers, but when they get as big as these two, they are harder to house and take care of. We would never make more OF THEM out there to suffer this same fate. I strive for life long commited homes for these rescues. We are actively looking for a good home for them. NOT BREEDERS. It doesn't hurt me one bit to home these majestic creatures until we can and if we can find them a forever home, because in my heart I know they are well loved here.

Meet Harry, my newest snake

2009-11-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

This is Harry. I just got him today. He is an owner surrender, 6ft long male Boa Constrictor. His owner was away on business a lot and just couldn't care for him any more. Harry is about 14 years old. He is het. Anerythristic.

This is his home. A 55 gallon terrarium. Not big enough but hopefully we will fix that within the week.

This is how I got him. His owner came to my home and delivered him. I will keep you updated on his progress. I am actively seeking a good home for Harry and Jenny for any one who has the proper facilities to house them. I would prefer not to home them with breeders.

These snakes don't have a home because of their size and we don't need more out there to add to the problem. They can live to be 30 years old easily and are a life long commitment. If you are interested, email me. michael6000@att.net..

Sorry it has been so long....

2009-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have had a busy summer. A new job, and dealing with Jenny the Snake has been a constant challenge. I also found and rescued a clutch of baby opossums in August. They might not be to appealing to the eye when they grow up, but these little guys were pretty cute. There were 8 of them and miraculously, their mother's head was the only thing a car had struck. I thought she was still alive when I came across her and I was going to move her off the road. As I approached her, these little faces peered out from under her. I couldn't leave them there. Of course they were fierce. They hissed a lot but couldn't hurt anyone. I took them to Alchemy Acres in Salem, Ohio. That place is one of my favorite institutions in this county. They are better equipped for animals of this nature and said they would raise them and return them to the wild.

I finally got Jenny's cage finished. My wife is not happy because it literally takes up half the room. But Jenny has to be able to stretch out in order to reduce her stress. She is very smart and curious about everything. She knows where her cage door is and I find her sometimes waiting for me there or she comes to me when I open it. Her former owner did take good care of her, but she just got too big for him. I had no idea how hard it would be to find a suitable place for her so I think I have her for a while. She is very charming despite her size.

I will be updating this more often. Look for more articles to come soon. I have new little buddy named Ronald. He is a Pueblan milk snake (black, orange and white). Right now he is not too tame, and is the first snake to ever bite me. But things are going well and I hope to get him settled down soon. Thankfully snakes do not like the taste of latex.

Buddy Passed Away on June 11, 2009

2009-07-31T22:27:00.000-07:00

Buddy was a really great corn snake. He was gentle and loved attention.
He never once offered to bite. Due to being owned by someone who
DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIM, he was injured severely. Only about 8 inches of his body worked. I ended up helping him shed when he needed it. Feeding was a little harder, but then, he was such a fighter. He always tried and was usually successful. He started having trouble eating, and then would not eat at all. I had him at the vet last year and was told he didn't know how Buddy was alive then. He acknowedged that I took excellent care of him and that was probably why he had lasted as long as he did. On June 11, when I woke up, I noticed he hadn't moved from the night before and upon closer inspection realized he had passed . He will truly be missed. Especially by me.

Hermoine Makes a Lot of Friends

2009-04-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ball Pythons are excellent snakes for pets. Hermione is so gentle. If she is afraid, she covers her head with her body and hides. My Jenny does that too. Sirrius, while small, is not afraid of anything so hiding isn't his style, but he avoids you.

The young lady with Hermoine in her hands is Amber. Amber hates snakes, but I introduced her to my Hermoine and she actually held her. By the time Hermoine was done charming her, Amber walked away with a better understanding of snakes, and she isn't as afraid of them as she once was. That's one down and millions to go. But I am determined. Snakes are waking up because it is spring. Please give them a chance this year. Let them do their job of keeping rodents out of your home. If you see one, back away slowly from it and go in another direction. They will not bother you. They want away from you as much as you want away from them. The environment needs them. We need them. Please don't slaughter them just because they are a snake.

Poisonous and Nonpoisonous Snakes in Ohio and How to Tell the Difference

2009-03-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

There are many species of snakes in Ohio. Roughly about 24 or so. Out of all these snakes, only three are considered poisonous. That would be the Northern Copperhead, the Eastern Massasauga, and the Timber Rattler.
Copperheads have bitten more people in the U.S. than any other snake. Luckily the amount of venom injected in a single bite is not enough to be fatal in a healthy adult. However it is extremely painful. You can easily find them in rocky, wooded hillsides. When encountered, they usually retreat, but if aroused, they can vibrate their tales and strike wildly.
The Eastern Massasauga is also called the Swamp rattler and Black snapper. It has been recorded in more than 20 Ohio counties. However, sightings are rare and this snake is designated STATE ENDANGERED. They are usually very sluggish and don't offer to bite unless thoroughly aroused. Their venom is highly toxic. However, it has small fangs and does not inject enough to be fatal.
Finally, the Timber Rattler is the most dangerous snake in Ohio because of its large size. They can reach lengths of 6 feet. Luckily, most Timber Rattlers are mild in disposition and simply try to crawl away when encountered. If aroused enough they will defend themselves. These snakes are also designated as STATE ENDANGERED.

Nonpoisonous snakes are far more numerous in Ohio. But many are often mistaken for their more toxic relatives. Of all these snakes, the Black Rat Snake is the one most commonly slaughtered. My snake, Sirrius Black, is a Black Rat Snake. I am taking out into the public this summer to show any one who will listen that he is harmless and very beneficial. His main diet is rodents. With him around, there will not be mice or rats chewing on your electric wires or putting holes in your walls. I hope you come out to meet him and my other snakes and see that they are truly amazing and beautiful creatures.

Jenny- A Second Look

2009-03-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

This is Jenny's first time really being handled since I got her. She has been a little cranky, hissing and hiding her head. She has had to get used to a lot. Neecha

for example. Neecha is a noisy Rottweiler. I have been opening her enclosure every day and touching her lightly and talking softly to her. Mostly she buries her head in her coils and does her best
to look invisible.

Jon makes it look easy to handle her, but it wasn't at all. She is a lot of snake. You can see by the pictures that she is long(7'8") and bigger around than my hand. Once we got her out, she became very curious about her new surroundings and looked at everything.

As it turns out, she has a great disposition, though we handle her with great care. Certainly, I will not be getting her out alone. We finally obtained a rat big enough to make her a decent meal, and when she captured it, it was shocking, though impressive. She was lightning fast. In one second, she had the rat wrapped three times over. I learned a whole new respect for her just watching her catch and eat her dinner. I don't feed live, it may be nature's way,but in my home I am able to stop any needless suffering. I knock them out with CO2. Caring for her has been a learning experience . As long as she is handled responsibly she should make a fine ambassador for her kind this summer.

We will be at Thompson Park this summer!

2009-03-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

Ya, it's cold right now, but spring is almost here, and summer isn't far behind. June 20 will be the first time I have my snakes out at Thompson Park for everyone to meet. I have 4. Buddy, a corn snake. Hermoine, a ball python. Sirrius Black, a black rat snake. And finally, Jenny, a red tail boa constrictor.

Please come out and meet them. I know that once you do, you will feel differently about snakes. Hermoine is such a nice snake. Meeting her alone should change your mind. She is short and stubby, but very sweet tempered and curious. She wants to see everything. Maybe once you meet these guys, you might think twice about running over a snake trying to cross the road. I have seen that happen a few times and I believe it is heartless. They do serve a vital and important role in nature. Without them, the world would be overrun with rats and mice for example. So, remember, June 20, 2009, at 4pm-Thompson Park- to meet me and my 4 snake friends so you can make them your friends, too.

Meet Jenny, An Owner Surrender

2009-02-12T17:46:00.001-08:00

Sometimes you have no choice but to find a new home for your pet. There are many reasons for this. Maybe you are moving, or circumstances have somehow changed for you and you can no longer keep your friend. That was the case with Jenny, formally known as Mitten. I like Harry Potter names so I changed Mitten's name to Jenny Weasley. Her owner and his wife just had a new baby. Since Jenny is 7'8" long and weighs about 55 lbs, they were not comfortable having her there any more. Considering her head is close to the size of my hand, I can see why it would make them uncomfortable. She is large and because of her size alone, she is intimidating. However, as we have handled her, I have discovered she is quite tame. While we have been wary of her, she has been terrified of us, her new surroundings, being jostled around in two different cars, temperature changes, new voices and sounds-all have been thrust on her all at once. And she has not offered to bite even once. In fact, she tries to hide her head down below the loops of her long body. It truly softened my heart toward her. I am going to do everything I can to help her settle down and relax. I don't know yet what my future plans are for her. Her size makes it difficult to re home her. I may be able to use her this summer when I take my snakes out into the public to show people snakes are not so bad. Not that anyone would be allowed to hold her (or that they could. She is huge.) But seeing her and maybe touching her might help people to understand snakes better and soften their hearts, too. I will keep you updated on her progress. She is a learning experience for me and what I learn, I will pass on to you.

Northern Copperhead Snake and the Eastern Milk Snake-One eats the other.

2009-02-02T05:33:00.001-08:00

This map shows the range of the Northen Copperhead Snake in Ohio. Note that Columbiana County is included in that range. It is one of the most venomous snakes in the state and should not be taken lightly. If you suspect that you or your pet have been bitten by one, seek medical attention immediatly.

This is what a copperhead looks like. Beautiful in color and markings, it is also strikingly dangerous. It's diet includes small rodents, birds, insects, and lizards.

This is the Eastern Milk Snake. It is harmless to people. It is, unfortunately, also mistaken for the copperhead at times. I put the pictures together so you could see the differences of the snakes. Note that this snake has rings of color while the copperhead has more like splotches of color. The Milk Snake's diet includes small rodents, birds, lizards and other snakes, including venomous ones.

This is a map of the range of the Eastern Milk Snake, which is the entire state of Ohio. Please keep this in mind should you run into a snake that you are not sure about. One is venomous and one isn't. The Milk Snake, you should remember, not only eats rats and mice, saving your home from expensive structural and electrical damage, but also eats other snakes. If you have a Milk Snake around, you probably don't have any venomous snakes in the area.

When I go out into the public this summer, I want to help educate people on this aspect of snakes. Snakes are good for the environment. While many people are afraid of them, keep in mind that they are just as afraid of you. If you come across a snake, simply back slowly away from them. They are not going to chase you. They want away from you, too. They have a right to be here. Don't kill them just because one crosses your path. Try to remember, if you have a snake in your area, you probably do not have mice or rats. I have known wild rats to climb up in bed with you at night and bite you in your own home. Snakes protect you from that.

And always remember, if you find a snake and want it removed in the Columbiana County Ohio area, please call me and I will come and take it away, relocating it out in the wild where it won't bother any one. Snakes are important to the environment and to us. Let's protect them.

I can be reached at 330-385-4380 or my email is warlock016@yahoo.com

Water and Habitats

2009-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

I work hard to keep my snakes well taken care of and happy. One of my biggest worries is that they have enough fresh water and room to stretch out. Stretching out is important so they can relax.

I change their water every other day. As you can see, snakes drink water like any other animal.

Above you can see Sirrius all stretched out, with his long skinny tail reaching back his habitat and the things he likes to climb on. If your snake habitat is too small they can become stressed and be more apted to bite and stretch out like they should to relax. Keep that in mind as you try to decide about your snakes living quarters.

Dinner Time for Sirrius

2009-01-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

These are rat pinkies, born yesterday. I raise my own snake food because they are $6 each at the local pet store. I have four snakes and it is cheaper for me to grow my own. It isn't hard when they are like this. But look out if they get their hair and open their eyes. They become what are called rat pups and are cute as hell. It just makes it harder to view them as snake food.

Today is the day I feed Sirrius Black, my Black Pine Snake. He will eat all three of those pinkies in five minutes. I do not feed him in his house. I remove him and use a cardboard box, which keeps him from being tank aggressive. If your snake strikes at you or actually bites you, stop feeding him in his cage because he thinks your hand is food. They are not hard to train. I also use a latex glove when I handle the food items so that if I do get tagged, the snake lets go. They do not like the taste of latex.

Sirrius knows that it is dinner. He wastes no time in going after his prey. Pinkies he can just swallow live because they are too weak to struggle. If this were a mouse, he would have wrapped it up and killed it first. Snakes move with lightening quick speed. (I feed all but pinkies frozen-thawed (f/t) so no injuries occur to the snake)

Once he gets the pinky positioned properly, he uses the muscles in his throat to swallow it whole. Yes they do make squeaky noises as they are going down. This is not for softies to watch. That is another reason to use f/t.

Rat pinkies are best because they provide excellent nutrition. It helps young snakes like Sirrius to grow bigger and stronger. Doesn't he look like a mighty Cobra!! LOL...

Do not handle snakes for minimum of 48 hours after they have fed. They can regurgitate and that can kill them. (Say you fed at 3 pm Friday- you can't handle them until Sunday at 3pm.)

Dinner Time!

2009-01-15T05:49:00.001-08:00

A letter to the Editor of the East Liverpool Review

2009-01-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of a letter to the Editor of the East Liverpool Review. I am a huge supporter of adopting a pet and saving a life, whether it be dogs, cats, snakes, horses, what ever. I have six dogs, two of which were strays. I have put a copy of it on my blog for you to read. If you are looking for a great local charity, please keep them in mind. Pictured above are my kids. Zander, Jeff, Lexi, Buster, my big baby Neecha, and last, my little baby, Snoopy.

Dear Editor:
No doubt if you watch television, this holiday season you have seen the commercial for abandoned shelter animals featuring Sarah McLaughlin on behalf of the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The message is heart wrenching and compelling. Certainly, the ASPCA is a worthy cause and their efforts in the area of animal welfare, important.
But please, consider this: unwanted and neglected pets need your help right here in Columbiana County. At least donate a portion of the funds you set aside for animal welfare to local organizations. I can speak to the needs and activities of one local non-profit animal welfare organization, the Humane Society of Columbiana County.
In 2008, two trained, court-appointed volunteer humane agents responded to over 400 concerns about animal cruelty and neglect over the 532 square miles of Columbiana County. Over 300 cats and dogs have been cared for by volunteers who currently maintain a minimum of two shifts, seven days per week at our R.O.C.C. (Reduce Overpopulation of Cats and Canines) and Rescue Center located at 1825 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem. The Humane Society is not funded by any local government agency nor any national animal welfare organization. Total programming and operations, including a mortgage, are supported by public donations. Should donations cease, so too will the services of the Humane Society.
I am not recommending that you stop supporting organizations like the ASPCA, but I am asking you to look out your windows as you drive your car. We all know there is great need right in our own backyard. Help us at the Humane Society help the animals in need right here in Columbiana County, first. If you are fortunate enough to afford more, then spread the love around to other parts of the country and beyond.
For more information about the Humane Society of Columbiana County, call 330-332-2600. Doors are open and visitors encouraged and welcome Tuesday-Friday 1-5 p.m. and Saturday10 a.m. to noon. Other times are available by appointment.
Adoptable pets can also be viewed at http://www.petfinder.com/.
And remember, neuter and spay is the only way to stop pet overpopulation.
Jenny Pike
president, Humane Society of Columbiana County

Look for me and my snakes out in the public next year!

2008-12-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up that I plan on taking my snakes to local parks next year and help educate people about the true nature of these amazing creatures. You are going to find me in places like Thompson Park and possibly Beaver Creek State Park. I also want people to have a place to go to find out how to take care of any pet snakes they have, or a place to take them if they can't care for them any more. Going out into the public will help me do that. I will be posting any scheduled outings I have if you are interested, and I don't charge anything.

Red Tail Boa Care Sheet

2008-11-24T14:08:00.001-08:00

Size: 10 ft./50lbs

Housing: hatchling-20gal tank. Adults custom built enclosure min. I use is 8'L x 4'W x 5-6'H.

Substrate: paper towels, aspen, astroturf, just never put aspen or wood shavings in a feeding

cage because of possible ingestion.

Temp: ambient day 82-90F Basking 90-95F nighttime 78-82F

Vet Care: take stool sample to herp qualified vet to check for worms & protozoans. yes, they

are two seperate tests and be sure to request for them both or they may not do both. FRESH WATER AT ALL TIMES!

Necessities: Nolvasan ( Chlorhexidine diacetate)-to clean enclosures & disinfect water bowls,

litter boxes, tubs and sinks.

Betadine (povidone/iodine) clean scratches and wounds. Set aside a food storage

bowl (in freezer), extra water bowl soaking bowl or tub, sponges, to be used only for boa.

Columbian Rainbow Boa

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Picture on left is a Columbian Rainbow Boa,middle is a Brazilian and right is a Peruvian.

Temp: Ambient day 80-85F Basking 85F never to exceed those temps. Nightime 75-80F
Humidity: 75-90% Another option to increase humidity is to provide a box (plastic rubbermaid) w/a small hole in it filled with damp potting soil & sphagnum moss (not the brown stuff)!
Housing: 29gal. or larger
Substrate: bark,coconut bark or eco earth. This bedding holds moisture well and it duplicates their natural environment.
Food: baby/juvenile 1-2 times per week. Adults once every 7-10 days appropiate sized meal
(no bigger than the girth in the middle of the snake),to maintain proper body weight.
Maintenance: Spot clean cage daily. Change substrate(bedding) at least monthly. FRESH water daily. Disinfect water bowl every other day w/5% bleach solution(2tbs bleach to 1gal water). Always wash hands before and after handling any snake or cage item so as not to transfer bacteria.

Size: 5'-8'

Corn Snake Care Sheet

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Very Beginner Friendly Snake (picture of one name is Buddy on bottom)

Size: 5-6ft
Enclosure: from a 6"x12" or 5gal tank (for a few neonates) to 30gal. fish tank for adult
Temp: 78-82F daytime ambient Basking: 85-90F Night: 65-70F
Substrate: newspaper,butcher paper,indoor/outdoor carpeting,aspen shavings. NEVER USE
CEDAR AS IT IS TOXIC TO SNAKES!
Environment: ALWAYS Have fresh water! Warm,dry enclosure. Having a hide box
permits shelter for the animal and a stress -free environment.
Diet: NEVER feed unattended! A live mouse or rat can kill a corn snake! I always watch and if it
doesn't take the prey item then after 30 min. I remove it. It is alright to refreeze a f/t prey item as long as it doesn't smell rotten or too gamey,although I have had one that preferred prey to be frozen twice. NEVER feed captive snakes food from the wild,as they may harbor parasites or mites that will kill a captive snake!
Maintenance: Spot clean cage daily. Substrate changed monthly. Change water daily. Disinfect
water bowl every other day with 5% bleach solution(2tbs. bleach to 1gal. of water).

NOTE: Many adult/subadult snakes refuse food for winter months(wintering period),if it appears healthy(no spine or ribs showing),temp. in the enclosure can be dropped down to mid 60's for 1-3months. I usually keep it at no colder than 71-72 degreesF. Just my personal thing though.

Ball Python Care Sheet

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Ball Python Care Sheet

Temps: day ambient 80-85F Basking 90F-93F Night 75-80F

Humidity: they come from africa a very arid area (not in shed cycle) 30-50% In shed cycle 60-65%

Shedding: increase humidity and hydration. After eyes clear, bathe in water 10 min. they should do a complete shed within 24 hrs.

Pinkbelly: getting ready for a 7-14 day shed cycle. (usually 10 days but I have one that has taken up to 14 days)!

R.I. Signs(respiratory infection): Clear fluid coming from nostrils or mouth, wheezing or

popping as it breathes, open mouth breathing. Increase the humidity & get it to a vet!!!!

Interaction: Ball or as in Europe they are commonly called Royal pythons are sensitive so I

recommend a 7 day period before you handle them or feed them so they can get acclimated to their new home. Before the 7 day period, I only handle them @ night because that is when they are naturally awake in the wild. After that week of getting used to it's new enclosure and surroundings, you can handle them anytime after that.

Feed Schedule: up to 2-3 yrs. of age(18-36") 7-10 days appropiate sized meal. ADULTS 2-3

adult mice or appropiate sized rat.(how I tell correct size is look at the middle of the snake and if it isn't bigger than that size, it's ok to feed it. Only use f/t (frozen/thawed) because live mice and/or rats can seriously hurt or even kill your snake.(www.rodentpro.com) They are humanely euthanized.

Housing: min 20 gal(30x12x12) Good is 30 gal(36x12x18) 40 gal breeder is best!

Size: 3-5 ft. Largest was 6 1/2 ft.

Waste Cycle: usually every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on feeding schedule and animals

metabolism.

Important Note: If recently fed, no hotter than 92F or no cooler than 75F! When empty

of food, are generally more tolerant of a wider range of temps. Also may not eat during the breeding season(Nov.- Mar.)

I have been to alot of DVM's web sites and they seem to agree Natural Chemistrys-Healthy Habitat is a top notch cage cleaner. ( Lianne McLeod),DVM

As with all care sheets some variances do well than others,as these are just meant for guidelines... :-)

Jungle Carpet Python Care Sheet

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Jungle Carpet Python Care Sheet

Size: 41/2-7ft

Enclosure: adults 40 gal. or larger

Temp: day ambient 80-90F night 75-80F

Substrate: newspaper, indoor/outdoor carpeting, aspen

Environment: cage furniture such as branches should be provided to climb. Elevated hide boxes can also be provided for a greater sense of security.

Humidity: 60-70% can go up to 80% after eyes clear during a shed.

Maintenance: temp gradient (as with all snakes). Fresh water daily. Spot clean daily. Every other day disinfect water bowl /5% blach solution(2tbs. bleach per 1 gal. water). Always wash hands before and after handling snake and any cage items so as not to transfer bacteria.

NOTE: Jungle carpet pythons do not show the adult coloration until they get to about 3-4ft.,

so it is tough to tell as neonates what they will look like as adults, but looking at the parents is a good resource.

Burmese Python Care Sheet

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NOT A SNAKE FOR BEGINNERS!

Size: Easily reach 20ft/over 200lbs!
Enclosure: young 20 gal (18-24") sub and adults custom enclosures mandatory! I use a minimum 10'L x 4'W x 6'H. Though larger are always encouraged
Temp: Day ambient-85-90F (ambient means the temp range throughout the entire size of the enclosure). Basking-90-93F ( hot spot) Always use a temp gradient cool spot on one side of cage, (and you want to put the water bowl there) and hot basking spot with a hide box on both sides.
Humidity: 60-70% misting is a must. Don't mist again until the first misting is dry.
Substrate: indoor/outdoor carpet over top linoleum (so as not promote fungal growth ) and ease to clean (just replace carpet), newspaper, all time favorite aspen. But don't feed on aspen because of stomach impaction will result if it gets eaten. (That would be like us eating a bunch of toothpicks all at once).
Hide Box: I use the largest rubbermaid storage bin I can find. Disinfect w/5% bleach(2tbs. per 1 gal water). Rinse so no bleach remains befor you place into cage.
Maintenance: Change water daily. Spot clean enclosure daily for feces,etc.. Disinfect water bowl w/5% bleach solution. Soak for 10 min rinse vigorously so no bleach residue remains.
Wash hands BEFORE and AFTER handling any snake and cage items so as not to transfer bacteria.
Photo Period: I use 12hr. light 12 hr dark. Because I don't breed and until every unwanted snake is put into a life long home, I don't believe in it.

NOTE: Please if you want to leave a comment I would really love to hear from you.

Gopher, Bull, Pine Snake Care Sheet

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Enclosure: 20 gal min. the size of these snakes go up to 8 ft.
Temperature: 75-85 F (ambient) meaning the temp to maintain throughout the entire range of the enclosure.
Humidity: 50-60%
HEAT/LIGHT: ut heaters(under the tank heaters) the ones people use for their backs are ok and alot cheaper than the ones you buy at the pet store; red heat bulbs, does not require UV...
Substrate: I personally use aspen shavings, they are non-toxic and relatively cheap (@ wal-mart), potting soil to allow for burrowing. Never use cedar as this is toxic to all snakes!
Maintenance: Fresh water daily! Spot clean as necessary. A 5% bleach solution is an excellent disinfectant. (2 TBS per 1 GAL of water). Always wash hands before and after handling any and every snake and cage item so you do not transfer any bacteria from or to yourself or from and to your snakes.

Snakes are not your enemy.

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In the coming months you will find my blog full of information about snakes. How to take care of them, what they eat and how to feed them, how often do they shed their skin. You name it, I hope to cover it. I want people to know that snakes are not the monsters that it is believed they are. We need them in our environment. They help keep the rodent population down. And most importantly they mean YOU no harm.