I caught a wild baby black rat snake.

I`ve found it two days ago inside of the buidling where I work. I`m keeping the snake in 16 qt tub and the snake ate a f/t mice today. I`m still not sure if the snake has any mites..when I first caught the snake, I`ve just put the snake into a clear plastic jar and chekced the snake`s scales but I coduln`t see any mites or ticks and the snake was very active and tried to bite me when I handled it. Is anybody keeping wild caught snake? I don`t have any expericence with treating or problems reptile mites or parasites. If the snake is infected by mites, what kind of symtoms can happen?

First thing you should do: find out if it's legal to keep a wild caught Black Snake where you live. A lot of states have laws saying that you cannot catch and keep native species.

My general consensus would be that if it's not injured or have serious problems, return it to the "wilds" where it can keep the rodent population in check. :) But that's just my :2cent:.

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Originally Posted by xFenrir

First thing you should do: find out if it's legal to keep a wild caught Black Snake where you live. A lot of states have laws saying that you cannot catch and keep native species.

My general consensus would be that if it's not injured or have serious problems, return it to the "wilds" where it can keep the rodent population in check. :) But that's just my :2cent:.

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I agree with Fenrir, I found a baby black rat snake in my parent's basement. I caught it, sent pictures to my folks who sent emails to a guy at the EPA. He says to always release them back in the wild. Without them our rat population would really be a problem. I drove 12 miles away due to my folk's phobia, and released it in some woods.