Injured Snake found along the trail...

I was out for a hike today with the kids in one of Minnesota's state parks, and we stumbled up on an injured snake close to the parking lot. I wasn't sure if I should try to move him or not, so I decided to take some pictures, and then go to the ranger station and ask them what they wanted to do.

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When looking at the snake, I thought that it might have gotten injured from a lawn mower, because it looked like the grass had been mowed recently. However, the rangers said the the snake had been run over by a bicycle on Tuesday. They said that they had left it, because they thought it would have a better chance of surviving on it's own (therefore not giving it extra stress by capturing it and taking it out of it's evnironment).

The rangers were surprised that it was still alive, and told me that it was a watersnake. I'm not very good with my Minnesota colubrids, but I guess it makes sense since it was right next to the river.

So, what do you guys think? Were they right in leaving the snake? Or should they have tried to save it -- remember, this is a state run entity, and they probably don't have anything budgeted for saving wildlife.

What do you suppose it's chances of survival are? Is the main risk infection?

Thanks,

George

Well if you have enough room I would take it in and put peroxide in the wound 2x a day for 30 days. Keep it on newspaper or PLAIN WHITE paper towl and just put water and hides in the cage. Feed it fish and avoid rosy reds and gold fish! Hope this helps!

Poor thing! I really don't know much about what would have been the best course of action for him. It doesn't look weepy or puss filled for a several day old injury, so hopefully he's on his way to mending!

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Originally Posted by Snakemaster24

Well if you have enough room I would take it in and put peroxide in the wound 2x a day for 30 days. Keep it on newspaper or PLAIN WHITE paper towl and just put water and hides in the cage. Feed it fish and avoid rosy reds and gold fish! Hope this helps!

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That's a good idea, but it's against the law in MN to take wildlife out of state land without a permit. Plus -- I don't have room!! I was just hoping the guys at the park would help it, but they didn't seem too concerned, so hopefully it will survive...

So, is it in fact a watersnake?

Thanks,

Gelorge

I would let nature take its course....It might survive, wild animals are pretty tough.

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Originally Posted by chapskis1

That's a good idea, but it's against the law in MN to take wildlife out of state land without a permit. Plus -- I don't have room!! I was just hoping the guys at the park would help it, but they didn't seem too concerned, so hopefully it will survive...

So, is it in fact a watersnake?

Thanks,

Gelorge

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It looks like Northern Water Snake Nerodia Sipedon Sipedon Mabye talk to a wildlife rescue person

it was probably smart for them to leave it...

Although you might put peroxide on the wound to clean it the first time, using peroxide repeatedly can be determental to wounds. It tends to "eat" at the flesh a small amount. Using a betadine scrub is easier on the healing flesh.

Reptiles are remarkably tough, so I bet he'll do okay, as long as nothing eats him in the meantime. I wonder how a bicycle could have done that to him?

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Reptiles are remarkably tough, so I bet he'll do okay, as long as nothing eats him in the meantime. I wonder how a bicycle could have done that to him?

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road rash